Immediate-past Malawi Queens coach Peace Chawinga Kalua has penned a 16-month deal with Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) as the team’s new assistant coach while negotiations with fellow Queens legend Mary Waya for a similar post have fallen through.
NAM general secretary Yamikani Kauma yesterday said the association has also come up with a structured succession plan through a coaching mentorship programme that will see Queens expatriate head coach Debbie Fuller working closely with the eight other local coaches to share her practical expertise.
The development comes at a time the 29-player Malawi National Netball Team is today expected to start the second of the three scheduled local training camps at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Sports Complex in Blantyre in preparation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland in August.
The local coaches selected for the mentorship and coaching training are Joana Kachilika, Jane Chimaliro, Rose Chinyama, Frank Mhalenga, Gavy Nyondo, Chisomo Tibu, Madano Tepetheya and Franklin Kuntendere.
“The technical staff have two-year contracts except for the Queens assistant coach Chawinga-Kalua, whose contract duration is one year and four months,” said Kauma.
“Our negotiations with Waya for the Queens’ assistant coach role fell through.”
Chawinga-Kalua and Waya were not available for comment yesterday.
NAM initially offered Chawinga-Kalua and Waya eight-month deals, but inside sources said Chawinga-Kalua could only accept a deal of over a year while Waya refused to be a consultant.
The coaches were working since February in New Zealander Fuller’s absence while waiting for the outcome of the contract negotiations.
Meanwhile, Fuller, who is expected back in Malawi tomorrow after spending weeks in her home country, has added to the Queens’ squad two under-20 players Veronica Anderson of Vanessa Sisters and CivoNets’ Prisca Banda following their impressive performance with the Malawi Under-23 National Netball Team in South Africa’s Telkom Netball League.
She has also maintained the other 27 players that were part of the initial camping over a month ago. Australia-based veteran shooter Mwawi Kumwenda-M’bwana is also in the squad.
Kauma said the May camp will focus on “stress testing” through four back-to-back match simulations against the Malawi Kings, who will start their preparations for the 2026 Africa Netball Cup soon.
“These high-pressure games will allow the Queens to refine combinations, improve tactical execution and develop consistency under the demanding match schedule they are expected to face at the Commonwealth Games,” she said.
