By Michael Kachitsa Manchester Thunder are an English netball team based in Manchester. Their senior team plays in the Netball Superleague. In 2005–06, Thunder were founder members of the league. They were Superleague champions in 2012, 2014 and 2019. Between 2001 and 2012 they played as Northern Thunder and were originally based in Bury, Greater Manchester. Between 2001 and 2005 Northern Thunder, together with five other franchises – Northern Flames, London Tornadoes, London Hurricanes, University of Birmingham Blaze and Team Bath Force – competed in the Super Cup. Northern Thunder won the 2002 Super Cup. Northern Thunder players from the Super Cup era included Amanda Newton, Tracey Neville, Jade Clarke and Sara Bayman. In 2005 Northern Thunder were named as the North West England franchise in the new Netball Superleague. Together with Brunel Hurricanes, Celtic Dragons, Leeds Carnegie, Galleria Mavericks, Team Bath, Loughborough Lightning and Team Northumbria, Northern Thunder were founder members of the league. In 2012, Thunder won their first Superleague title. Janelle Lawson scored 33 goals as they defeated Surrey Storm 57–55 in the grand final. In 2012 Thunder relocated from Bury, Greater Manchester to Gorton. They subsequently changed their name from Northern Thunder to Manchester Thunder ahead of the 2013 season. In 2014 Thunder won their second Superleague title after defeating Surrey Storm 49–48 in the grand final. In 2019 Thunder won their third Superleague title. Manchester Thunder has trained and played their home games at several venues and locations throughout Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire. Between 2008–09 and 2011, Northern Thunder played their home Superleague games at Castle Leisure Centre in Bury, Greater Manchester. In 2012 Manchester Thunder began playing their home Superleague games at Wright Robinson College in Gorton. When Manchester Thunder played home games there, the arena was referred to as the Manchester Thunderdome. They have also played home Netball Superleague matches at Manchester Arena. In 2020 Manchester Thunder switched playing their home Superleague games to the National Basketball Performance Centre in the Belle Vue Sports Village. The team boosts to have an alley of talent one of them, Malawi Queens international netball player, Joyce Mvula who was signed in 2016. Joyce is in her 5th consecutive season with the team and was instrumental in their 2019 lifting of the cup, Vitality Superleague Championship.
Category: Netball
The History of Netball
By Michael Kachitsa Netball is a relatively old sport which has grown from humble roots to become a major sport throughout the world. It was developed in England in the late 1890’s, following the introduction of basketball a few years earlier. The sport quickly grabbed hold, with women throughout the British empire participating as a way to socialise and stay healthy. Male and mixed netball competitions have begun to develop in recent times, and are becoming more and more popular every year. Netball has traditionally been dominated by both Australia (11 titles and 3 second place finishes) and New Zealand (4 titles and 8 second place finishes), with Australia the current world champions. The only other country to win a world cup is Trinidad and Tobago, who won in 1979. In 1891, an American schoolteacher by the name of James Naismith invented what has become one of the most popular sports in the world: basketball. However, the accepted dress of 19th century women prevented them from participating in basketball in the same way men could. They had trouble with movements such as dribbling and jumping. This led to female teachers putting their heads together and adapting the game to allow women to participate. The rules of netball (originally known as women’s basketball) can be traced back to this time. From here, the sport quickly spread throughout the world. A match at Madame Ostenburg’s College in 1895 was the first time the game was played in England. From here, colonists rapidly dispersed the sport throughout the British empire, where it often became the most popular female sport. However, the rules of netball weren’t officially developed until six years later. It is thought that an American gym teacher called Clara Baer began to create official rules in 1898 when she asked Naismith for a copy of the rules of basketball. Using this copy, she identified the areas where ‘female basketball’ differed and modified the rules. This document formed the basis for the official rules as we know them today. In 1901, these rules were published and netball became an official competitive sport. As netball spread to the British colonies, it began to develop independently in different places. Rules changed according to location, and team sizes ranged from five to nine players on court at any one time. The rules were not standardised until almost 60 years later, when the International Federation of Women’s Basketball and Netball Associations was developed. The rules were officially standardised in 1960 at a conference in Sri Lanka which was attended by representatives from Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa, The West Indies, and England. From humble beginnings, netball has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most popular sports in countries across the world. Over 20 million people from at least 80 different countries play netball today. Australia has been the world’s best at netball since the sport made its way to the country. They have won the majority of world titles and major tournaments over history, with 11 of 16 world cups and 3 of 5 Commonwealth Games gold medals.
Griffin Saenda Sports Complex taking shape – Pictorial
By MANA The Malawi State President, Dr Lazarus Chakwers recently visited and inspected the Griffin Sayenda Sports Complex Project. President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera honoured late Griffin Sayenda who was a seasoned Malawi National Netball Team coach of many year by naming the Multipurpose indoor games complex in Lilongwe in his name. Here below are the Pictures from the event courtesy of Govat Nyirenda of State House:
Malawi’s Mwawi Among World’s Best Netballers
Malawi National Netball team star Mwawi Kumwenda has been named in the top four for the best netballers in the world in 2020. An annual poll released by Netball Scoop on Wednesday led by a team of ten judges comprising netball writers, journalists and coaches, has named the Malawi Queens shooter on position four in the 2020 world netball ranking after amassing 13 votes. The judges said Kumwenda turned in fine performances for the premiership-winning team, Melbourne Vixens in Australia in 2020 most memorably in the league decider where she netted 47 out 50 baskets. The netballer Kumwenda has described the news as an honour and a self-motivation to hard work. Kumwenda has dedicated the award to former Malawi Queens coach Griffin ‘Zagalo’ Saenda who died last month. “Above all Thanks to Almighty God for this amazing talent and l dedicate this to the late Griffin Saenda, who spotted me and lam here as the best because of him. May his soul continue resting in peace,” she said on her Facebook page. Ameliaranne Ekenasio from New Zealand has been named as the best netballer with 31 votes seconded by Australian Liz Watson with 30 votes while Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler has scooped third position. The rest of the top ten netballers is as follows; Australian Caitlin Thwaites on position five with eight votes, Australia’s Courtney Bruce and South Africa’s Karla Pretorius are tied on position six with seven votes so is Kate Moloney from Australia and Jane Watson from New Zealand on position seven with four votes. Sulu Fitzpatrick from New Zeland, Jamie-Lee Price from Australia and Jamaican Shamera Sterling are on position eight with three votes. Laura Langman from New Zealand, Geva Mentor from England and Australian Jo Weston have scooped position nine with two votes while the duo of Karin Burger and Maia Wilson all from New Zealand completes the top ten.-(Yuneco Website)
The History of The Melbourne Vixens Netball Team
By Michael Kachitsa The Melbourne Vixens is Netball Victoria’s representative team competing in Australia’s national netball competition, Suncorp Super Netball. The Vixens franchise was launched in 2008 during the formation of a new Trans-Tasman competition, the ANZ Championship, with the amalgamation of two Victorian teams – the Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels. During the ANZ Championship’s nine-year the Vixens claimed two premierships – in 2009 and 2014. Prior to the ANZ Championship, the Commonwealth Bank Trophy was the premier netball competition in Australia. Two teams were operated by Netball Victoria – the Melbourne Kestrels and the Melbourne Phoenix. Both teams hosted the cream of Victoria’s netballing elite. Names such Shelley O’Donnell and Simone McKinnis led the teams who blooded new talent with names that are legendary in today’s netball world; McMahon, Chatfield, Corletto. With the beginning of the new competition in 2008 both teams were merged to form what was considered the dream team, a mixture of the Phoenix’s experience and success, and the new, upcoming talent of the Kestrels. The letters PKNC feature on the back of each Melbourne Vixens dress, standing for Phoenix Kestrels Netball Club, celebrating our rich history of netball success. The Melbourne Vixens has a short but proud history of being one of the premier teams in Suncorp Super Netball (formerly the ANZ Championship), arguably the world’s best netball league. In 2015 the Melbourne Vixens Club was established as a way to recognise and acknowledge the athletes who have worn the Vixens dress with pride since the team was formed in 2008. All players who have been contracted or taken the court for the Vixens have a number allocated to them corresponding with their time in the team.
Merriam Simengwa Ndlovu – From Netball Player to Finance Manager
By Charles Leyman Kachitsa She now wherever she goes exhibit an aura of authority and of one being in the corporate world class. Could be all those years of success playing for the Malawi national team. Some may say she has always been a star even for her local team, in fact since her teen years. It is not always that people relate sportsmen or women with subjects such as mathematics, yet any game you can mention is a game of numbers and in most cases it involves such things as geometric angles. A game like netball involves constantly remembering elevation and angles if you are to achieve success. It is no wonder therefore, as one of the wonderful stories in sports to have one netball player Merriam Simengwa Ndlovu progress from being a netball player to be a Finance specialist in one of South Africa’s biggest banks. This should be an inspirational story to upcoming netball players and sportsmen in general that after their playing career they can be successful in other fields as well. I caught up with with Merriam Simengwa Ndlovu to ask what her journey has been like from a successful international netball player to the corporate world as financial specialist. Here below in full is what we discussed in form of questions and answers: What is your position now and qualifications career wise? I am currently working as Conformance and risk Specialist in Procurement Department at ABSA Bank (RSA). I have BCOM in Supply Chain Management and PGD in Risk Management, which I obtained at Management College of South Africa. Some may want to know your Full name, family brief story, where did you grow up? I am Merriam Simengwa Ndlovu aka Midu during my playing days and nick named Shamwari after my maiden international game in Zimbabwe. I am the fifth born in a family of eight. There were five girls and three boys in my family. My early childhood was in Chitawira before we moved to Kanjedza. The Simengwas are originally from Chitipa. Which schools did you attend in Malawi? I started my school at Chitawira Primary school where the famous Mr Chidengu Gama was the headmaster. When the family moved to Kanjedza, I got transferred to Limbe Primary school and I thought that I had escaped from Chidengu but he soon followed me to the same school. I later joined Limbe girls from where I was selected to pursue my Secondary School at Chichiri. How did you start netball? Which teams did you play for in Malawi? I used to play street netball just mucking around with my sisters and friends. At Limbe Primary, I played a little bit. My late sister Josephine is the one who took me out of my comfort zone and went with me to try out with ADMARC Tigress. I recall how intimidated I felt on the first day as I saw how the rest of the players looked physically. I was skinny and I thought that I stood no chance. My height was a great advantage as a defender. I am grateful to Ms Maggie Kadangwe who encouraged and supported me and my very first coach Ms Grace Sithole. After a few training sessions, I made it into the team and played along my sister. My little sister Andrina soon joined the team as well and we were known as the Simengwa sisters. ADMARC Tigress nicknamed Kau-Kau is the only team I played for. Anyone who inspired you as a young girl? My late sister Josephine embraced and encouraged me to play netball and it always felt special to play together as defenders. My other inspiration was my late father who worked for Daily Times as a photographer and our game pictures made it to the newspapers. That was a very big boost on my part. Your National team duties, do you remember when? Your memorable trip/ game? We were put through the selection process and I was happy to have impressed so much that I was selected to represent my country in 1987. Our coach was Mr Sayenda. I believe Mr Sayenda deserves a special recognition in Malawi for his passion, insights and techniques in the development of the game in Malawi. He revolutionised the sport, which helped put Malawi on the map. I recall my first national duty in Zimbabwe and we all had been told about how good Zambia was. Our coach Sayenda set down with us and drilled us through some paces and approach to the game. By the time we played Zambia, we were too good for them. It was the defining moment for us as we also won the trophy. Any memorable moments in your career, both as player and now? Winning the tournament in Botswana was one of the great memorable moments in my career. The other one the time we were landing in Maseru, Lesotho. In the flight, we had three families. The three Simengwa sister, The Mpoola twins Grace and Gertrude and the Waya sisters Emmie and Mary. It was one the scariest landing that I ever experienced and we finally touched down it was a great relief. We also had the Tsonga sisters Felia and Grace but they were not on the flight. Any low moments? My low moment was losing my father who passed away suddenly in May 1987. We had played a game on Saturday and he was there and took pictures that appeared on the Newspaper on Monday. I was still happy to have once again appeared in the newspaper when the news came that on the very Monday my father had passed away. I was devastated with the loss and worried about my future. I remain thankful to ADMARC as they extended paying fees to their netball players as well, because previously only football players had the privilege. How do you see Malawi netball now? I am happy with the direction that netball has taken and thrilled that I was part
Queens Player Cathy Yikwanga to Be Laid To Rest Monday
The remains for Cathy Yikwanga who until her death wa Tigresses Netball Team and Malawi netball team under-21 netballer will be laid to rest on Monday at her home village in Karonga district. According to Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) General Secretary Carol Babu, the netballer Yikwanga died on Saturday at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe after a short illness. In a statement Babu said: “The entire netball fraternity in the country is extending heartfelt condolences to the Yikwanga Family and Tigresses Club.” In her eulogy, Netball team star Mwawi Kumwenda said: “Cathy will be a great loss to the Malawi Queens. She was an outstanding member of our squad with So much potential to have a strong career in netball as a Malawi Queen and be a great ambassador for our country.”
Legendary Griffin ‘Ginte’ Saenda – Man Of Sports
Born on the 22nd of march 1988 at the giant Queen Elizabeth hospital,Griffin ‘Ginte’ Saenda Jnr says he was brought into this world for sports. He is from Majaga village TA Mwambo in Zomba. He has coached football from the grassroots since the year 1998 and his team ‘Griffin youngsters’ has produced a good number of playerssuch as Peter banda,Clifford Jekapu,Nickson Nyasulu Mark Fodyaan many more into the Malawi’s Super league as well as the national team ‘The Flames’.16 years later he was appointed by FAM as the Malawi U20 national team a position he served for a period of 2years (2016-2017) while also working as physical trainer for the Malawi national netball team ‘The queens’ . He has lead the Malawi queens to 3 Cosana netball championship events,the fast five games and the netball 2019 world cup games just to mention a few. He was given an award for innovator of the year at the 2016 MBC innovation awards and was coach of the year award the following year. “I have learnt a lot of things from a number of coaching legends including my dad Griffin Saenda Snr,Mr Kanyenda,Peace Chawinga,Mary Waya,White Mulima and Christian Mkwanda and many more”. As far as the drop in form and results by the Malawi queens is concerned,he believes there is room for improvement and says glory is but a short time on its way. He is currently in Ireland upgrading his fitness program skills and promises to improve sports in Malawi when done.”I give thanks to FAM,NAM,National council for sports and everyone else for supporting and believing in me” he said in his closing remarks of the interview. By Jones Mwambera