For the third-year running, Malawi’s netball icon Mwawi Kumwenda has been named Player of the Year for her New Zealand netball team Mainland Tactix.
The gangly goalshooter was honoured at a special ceremony held at Addington Raceway Christchutch, New Zealand on Thursday night.
“Once again, I feel great to have retained the honour, I thank my team-mates, technical staff, management and sponsors because without them, I couldn’t achieve such a feat.
“It is because of them that I continue to shine and I do not take it for granted. Special thanks should also go to my fans and relatives back home for their encouragement and support,” Mwawi said in an interview from New Zealand yesterday.
Mainland Tactix finished fourth in the New Zealand five-team Conference after netting 403 goals at 89 percent.
According to the team’s website, in other awards, Jess Moulds was voted members’ Player of the Year and recognised for 50 ANZ Championship matches, Charlotte Elley was honoured with the Rookie of the Year whereas Erikana Pedersen was named Players’ Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, Mwawi has disclosed that she will be crowned International World Games Association (IWGA) Athlete of the Year in October at the Fast5 Netball World Series in Australia.
“I have received official communication from IWGA to that effect,” she said. n