Tag Archives: International Netball Federation (INF)

Sports

Malawi Queens still stand on International Netball Federation’s 6th place

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi national netball team has, despite finishing on seventh position at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, clung to its sixth place out of 41 national sides.

International Netball Federation (INF) released the World Rankings on its website on Wednesday.

“The latest rankings reflect the games played up to the April 21, 2018, which include the recent Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 2018, Netball World Cup 2019 regional qualifier – Oceania, Taini Jamison Trophy, Hong Kong 4 Nations Tournament and the Uganda versus Barbados series,” reads www.inf.org.

The Queens’ performance at the Games in Australia has been factored in.

Malawi, who finished on seventh place behind Uganda at the Games, remain on second place in Africa out of eight national teams.

Malawi gained more points after beating New Zealand 57- 53 at the Games to shrug off Uganda who beat the Queens 54-52. Uganda remain seventh in the world.

“South Africa remain the highest ranked African side following their fifth place finish at the Commonwealth Games. Malawi’s memorable victory over New Zealand sees them strengthen their position in sixth ahead of the chasing Uganda,” reads the website.

England’s historic gold medal win at the Games sees them closing in on New Zealand while Jamaica, who finished third are closing the gap on England.

Fiji have dropped out of the top-12 which sees Trinidad & Tobago benefit as they move into 12th.

Samoa, who recently qualified for next year’s Netball World Cup, rose one position to 14th and Hong Kong, who finished second in a Four Nations Tournament, moved up one place up to 28th.

Sports

International Netball Federation sees potential in Malawi’s Queens

Maravi Post Reporter

International Netball Federation (INF) has said the Malawi national netball team has the potential to improve on world netball rankings.

Speaking on Friday during the closing ceremony of a week-long coaching course at College of Medicine Sports Complex in Blantyre, INF official Joan Smit said the performance of participants during the training gave him the belief that the Queens are capable of rising on the world rankings.

“I have been to many countries with similar courses but it is in Malawi where I have seen participants performing so well.

“From here, these participants will go out to share the knowledge they have gained with others in their respective regions. This will surely translate to the national team performing better in upcoming competitions,” Smit said.

She said it was pleasing that some of the course participants were national team players who have the potential to become great coaches after their playing days.

Smit said she had a special session with the players and encouraged them to continue learning from experienced coaches.

Netball Association of Malawi General Secretary, Carol Bapu, described Smit’s remarks as encouraging, saying the Queens are working hard to realise their true potential on the global stage.

“The knowledge gained during this course will help us to prepare better for the Commonwealth Games. All we need to do is to apply all the tactics as learnt during the course.

“It is now up to us to ensure that we test the knowledge gained here by organising some international friendly games for the Queens before going to competitions such as the Commonwealth Games and the Fast-Five Netball World series,” Bapu said.

One of the participants, Jane Chimaliro, who plays for both Civonets and the Queens, said she will use the coaching skills learned from the course to teach upcoming netballers.

“What we have learnt here will have a great impact on the performance of the [Malawi] national team. I expect to make a good coach in future when my playing days are over. I am already thinking about identifying players that I should groom for the future,” Chimaliro said.

INF sent four trainers to Malawi to drill 60 netball coaches and umpires.