Queens tickets at K14 000/head in UK

Tickets for the three-match series involving England and the Malawi Queens are selling at 21 British pounds (K 14 448) according to England Netball officials.

The tickets were introduced on the market in September. The Malawi Queens will be travelling to England in December and the first game will be played at Echo Arena in Liverpool on December 14, the second game will be played at the Copper Box in London on December 17 and the third and final game on December 20 at the University Arena in Worcester.

Meanwhile, England Netball has upped the tempo in advertising the three- match series to woo more netball fans to patronise the games. Details as to how many tickets have been sold were not immediately made available.

“England Netball is delighted to announce that Malawi will provide the opposition in a three-match International Netball Series this December. It will be a fantastic way to end the netball year as the surprise package of the Commonwealth Games will provide a tough test for Anna Mayes’ side,” reads part of the communication posted on the England Netball website.

“There will also be plenty of flair; passion and energy on display as Malawi bring their unique style of play to our shores during the festive season,” reads a post on England Netball website.

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

“Our opponents for the three matches are currently 5th in the official INF world rankings and finished in this position at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow following an impressive campaign which saw the Queens almost upset the mighty New Zealand before defeating South Africa in their play-off match. They will surely give us the test we want,” England Netball officials said about how they rate the Queens.

While England Netball are able to make revenues from such fixtures, most international netball fixtures in the country are free.

Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) president Rosy Chinunda said they are waiting for government to construct a netball complex which they can use for commercial activities to fund the team.

Meanwhile, the Malawi team, which is coached by Mary Waya, needs K27 million ($60 000) to play the series against England in preparation for World Championship in Australia.

NAM general secretary Carol Bapu said the team is expected to depart on December 10 for England.

“We are supposed to depart on December 10, so far, we are yet to receive feedback from the Sports Council on the K27 million we requested for the trip to England, but we are sure that they will respond accordingly,” said Bapu yesterday.

She said the money is to cater for air tickets, local camping and game bonuses.

“England will foot for internal costs such as accommodation, meals and transport, but for air tickets, local camping and players’ bonuses we are expected to foot them from the K27 million requested,” said Bapu.

England is rated third globally while Malawi is on position five and first in Africa.

According to Bapu, the Queens want to utilise the England friendly games to improve their world rankings.

“Our aim is to slot in that world top group, so this is a great opportunity because the friendly games against England will provide us a good stand if we are to spark in the world netball circles come next year,” said Bapu.

Other teams that the Queens beat at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games include Scotland, the host, Northern Ireland and Saint Lucia.