Mtukule lands England deal
Malawi Queens captain Caroline Mtukule-Ngwira has secured a seson-long deal with United Kingdom Super League netball side Team Bath.
The Bath-based outfit confirmed the deal in a statement posted on their website netball.teambath.com yesterday, saying the vastly experienced defender completes their squad for the 2023 season.
Reads the statement in part: “After four Netball World Cups and five Commonwealth Games, Malawi captain Caroline Mtukule is thrilled to be bringing her defensive talent to the Super League for the first time after joining Team Bath Netball for the 2023 season.
“Mtukule, who plays goal-defence and goal-keeper, has amassed a wealth of experience during a playing career dating back to 2004.
“During that time she has helped the Queens achieve their best-ever rankings of fifth place at both major international tournaments.
“Now she is excited to become the first Malawian to wear the famous Blue & Gold of Team Bath after being named as their 12th registered player for the new season.”
In an interview yesterday, the veteran netballer said she was thrilled after being informed about the deal.
“It is an outright deal and I am so excited. It had always been my dream to clinch a deal overseas and now I can breath a sigh of relief,” Mtukule-Ngwira said.
The former Kukoma Diamonds skipper said although many felt she was in the twilight of her career, she never gave up hope.
She said: “It’s about being patient and having self-belief.
“In the same vein, I would like to advise my fellow players never to give up on their dreams. God’s time is the best.”
She was also quoted by the team’s website as having said: “It’s a great pleasure to be joining Team Bath and I am so honoured to have this opportunity.
“It’s a big challenge but one I’m excited for and I will do my very best to help bring positive results.
“I’ve never played for a club overseas before, but it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for many years. I’m ready to learn new skills and test myself in a big league. I know why I am coming and what I want to do.
“I know Team Bath are a big club with a good history. I have played against Kadeen Corbin a lot with England over the years and I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the players.”
Mtukule-Ngwira’s last visit to the UK was in August for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the ninth major international tournament she has experienced dating back to the Melbourne 2006 Games.
The 39-year-old is the longest serving member of the current Queens squad and joins fellow goal defender Towera Vinkhumbo-Nyirenda, who also plays for English top-flight league side Strathclyde Sirens.
She brings the number of overseas-based players to four, the others being Mwawi Kumwenda-Mbwana who plays for Melbourne Vixens in Australia and Joyce Mvula-Nyirenda who turns out for Pulse in New Zealand.
Mtukule-Ngwira said she expects to depart for England any day as the 2023 season throws off this Saturday.
Team Bath’s first game is against Loughborough Lightning at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
