3 days Ago By Mphatso Malidadi
Malawi National Netball Team Coach Joanna Kachilika has been appointed Under-21 Queens Head Coach after Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) terminated her contract for the senior side. In a surprise move, Nam has named Peace Chawinga- Kalua and Mary Waya, who is also the Deputy Director Responsible for Capacity Building and Schools Sports in the Ministry of Sports, as co-coaches for the senior side. However, a local netball expert has warned that the move could backfire if the two do not work in harmony.
According to a statement released Monday and signed by Nam General Secretary Yamikani Khungwa-Kauma, the association made the resolutions after completing the process of review for the national team’s technical teams, contracts, qualifications, experience and the performance of the teams. “..
.and in consideration of the need to ensure the national teams are poised to perform with the best and at the best level of fitness and performance, the Netball Association of Malawi has made the following changes to the coaching panels of the three national teams effective 18th November 2024,” the statement reads. Following the review, Nam stated that it had terminated the coaching contract for Kachilika and that of vice coach Eleanour Mapulanga, with one month notice effective Monday.
“To fill senior team vacancies until the end of the current executive term, Nam has appointed Peace Chawinga and Mary Waya as co-head coaches effective November 18th 2024. “Nam believes that being the highest qualified coaches in Malawi, their experience in coaching and development of players, and having performed as players, the two are best suited to positively steer the senior national Queens and oversee the development of the Under-21 and Under-19 teams, as we rebuild the teams,” the statement reads. The same statement indicates that Kachilika has been re-appointed head coach for Under-21 National Team until September 30th 2025 on conclusion of the Netball Youth World Cup.
Khungwa-Kauma confirmed that Nam made the resolutions after discussing the issue as an executive on Thursday, last week. Kachilika did not answer our calls. Both Waya and Chawinga-Kaluwa acknowledged the appointments but did not shed more light.
Ironically, the pair worked as joint coaches in 2013 when the Queens finished behind South Africa during the continental championship. In another development, Nam has appointed Malawi Queens former coach Edith Kaliati as technical adviser for the teams and will continue to work with Nam technical director Samuel Kanyenda. In other changes, Nam has appointed Christina Mkwanda as vice coach for Under-21, having terminated her contract as the head coach for the team while the contract for Malawi Under-19 vice coach Triza Chipolopolo has been terminated.
Meanwhile, Beatrice Mpinganjira’s contract as physical trainer for the senior team has been terminated but she has been given a similar role at the Under-19 side. The national netball governing body has also re-appointed Rose Chinyama as Malawi Under-19 vice coach after having her contract as the team’s coach terminated. Blue Eagles Sisters Coach Madano Tepetheya has been named physical trainer for the senior side whereas Vincent Shombe remains the physical trainer for the Under-21 side.
Meanwhile, netball pundit Neffie Kam’mata has asked the joint co-coaches to work in unison. “Our performances have been poor, hence the changes. “However, it is our hope that the coaches will work together for the sake of netball development in the country,” Kam’mata said.
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