Government approves Queens England trip

The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) has announced that government has approved the Queens budget to enable the team travel to the UK for a three-match test series against England.

NAM president Rosy Chinunda disclosed the news in Lilongwe on Friday.

“We got consent from government and our budget has already been approved. We are just waiting for them to release the money. The girls will have to rest just for one week and then back in camp, depending on release of money by government. This tournament is different from the Fast5. We need a bit of camping to get organised,” said Chinunda.

The first game for the Queens will be played at Echo Arena in Liverpool on December 14. The second match will be played at the Copper Box in London on December 17 while the final game will be played on December 20 at the University Arena in Worcester.

Chinunda said the arrangement with England Netball is that Malawi should meet travel and camp expenses, but the rest will be provided by England Netball.

“It is a good arrangement as it will help us cut on expenses. Almost all our opponents have such kind of games all year around. Such series help the team to get the players exposed. I am glad that government has approved our budget,” said Chinunda.

She said is it important that they have in the team all the senior players who did not make it to New Zealand.

“We hope Mwawi, Tina Kamuyambeni and others will be part of the team,” said Chinunda.

England Netball said the three-match test series will act as preparations for 2015 World Netball Cup which will be hosted in Sydney, Australia.