Queens hope to end England’s dominance
Amid chilly conditions in the Cathedral city of Nottingham, the Malawi Queens kick-start their Vitality Quad Series campaign this evening against hosts, England’s Vitality Roses, at Motorpoint Arena.
The Malawi National Netball Team, ranked seventh in world netball, three steps behind England, will be hoping to break the jinx and beat the hosts for the first time in customary netball.

The four-nation showpiece, also includes two other African giants South Africa’s Spar Proteas and Uganda’s She-Cranes, who square up in another match.
While the odds swing in England’s favour, their coach Jess Thirby has sent out a word of caution to her charges, warning that it won’t be a stroll in the park against all the three African giants.
She was quoted by dailymail.co.uk as having said her team faces some obstacles, including injuries to four key players, namely Helen Housby, Eleanor Cardwell, Nat Metcalf and Lois Pearson.
She said: “We are the team they want to beat to get some ranking points and move up themselves. So, they’ll be hot on our heels. I have no doubt about that,” said Thirlby.
“We will have to work super hard to get it over the line. We’re looking for consistency and this gives us a good opportunity to consolidate the difference between being ranked in that top four and below.
“We really want to try and stamp our authority on that and create a big gap between those nations that are underneath us and where we see ourselves needing to head.”
The Roses gaffer further says the series will give her team a real test of their pedigree.
She said: “It will be a big challenge for us and it is important always to make sure we’re paying attention to these emerging nations who are on the rise in world netball way out from what will be the next Commonwealth Games in 2026 and the Netball World Cup in 2027.
They’ve always got ability and talent in abundance and when they harness that, they’re a real threat on the international stage. We’ve had some great matches against these teams in recent times.”
The last time the two teams met was at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, where the Queens lost 62-39 as the Roses registered their 100th win in the global showpiece.
On Wednesday night, Malawi faced British Army Netball Team in a warm-up game which the Queens triumphed 98-24.
Queens co-coach Peace Chawinga-Kaluwa yesterday said they are well prepared for today’s match.
“We are looking forward to our first match against the hosts. We want to give them a surprise as regards how they look at Malawi,” she said.
“Of course, beating England would be a bonus, but if we lose, it will be by a close margin.”
On the importance of the match, the coach said: “It is extremely important because these are ranking games and the game will also help us a lot in our rebuilding drive.”
The Queens will be buoyed by England-based star shooter Joyce Mvula, whose experience and quality should make a difference.
Former UK-based defenders captain Towera Vinkhumbo- Nyirenda, Grace Mwafulirwa- Mhango and Martha Dambo, wing-attacker Thandi Galeta and centre Takondwa Lwazi-Chiwaya are the other key members of the Queens’ squad.
Tomorrow, Malawi face Uganda in their second match at the same venue. Their third match will be against South Africa next Saturday in London.
The third-place and final matches will be played next Sunday also in London.