Queens steal limelight in UK
Malawi Queens have stolen the Malawi Team spotlight in Gloucester City, England where they are camping en route for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland starting on July 23.
Attention is on the Queens as they, before proceeding to Scotland, face England this Saturday at the Gloucester’s GL1 arena then Wales at the University’s Oxstalls Campus on Monday. Malawi team is camping at University of Gloucestershire’s Oxstalls Campus.
Queens’ matches would be used as the basis for analysis titled: ‘Successful observation is key to coaching’, during an exclusive coaching workshop organised for sports coaches by Sky Sports commentator and international netball coach Dr. Anita Navin and Denise Egan, ex-England coach and now a selector.
“All sports fans will enjoy the entertainment and fast-paced style of the Malawi Queens and I would encourage anyone to book their tickets from the All Golds website in advance or turn up early on day for what is sure to be quite a spectacle of netball against a young and talented England A team,” Navin told the website.
Come and watch the world-renowned Malawi Queens take on England, Malawi team dreams of Commonwealth gold, read other UK newspaper headlines in the Gloucestershire city where the 50-member Malawi team is camping.
Boasting their own social media forums such as twitter handle#malawiglos14, the Queens are part of Malawi team also comprising swimmers, track and field athletes, boxers and weightlifters.
“The legendary Mary Waya [Queens coach] is part of the Malawi coaching setup for a team that is often referred to as the ‘Harlem Globetrotters’ of the netball world because of their range of trickery and style of play – against young English stars,” explained Gloucester Citizen newspaper on www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk.
The Malawi team manager John Kaputa told the website that lawn bowls did not travel due to financial constraints.
“My ambition with this team is to get a few medals. It does not matter what colour, but a gold would be a wonderful achievement. The university will hopefully play its part in that,” Kaputa explained.
Chikondi Makawa, a 75 kilogramme middleweight boxer bidding for glory, hoped that the camp training would help him improve performance, adding: “My ambition is to bring a gold medal back to Malawi.”
Andy Pitchford, director of sports at University of Gloucestershire, said: “Our students and staff will be fully involved during the two-week stay, including our sports therapy students who will be providing daily massage to the athletes to help the preparations.”
