The Netball Association of Malawi (NAM) is negotiating with Malawi Queens expatriate coach Debbie Fuller to extend her contract, following her successful stint with the team. NAM president Vitumbiko Gubuduza expressed satisfaction with Fuller's performance, citing her achievements in meeting all three targets set by the governing body. These targets included a top seven finish at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, qualifying for the 2027 Netball World Cup, and a podium finish at the 2026 Africa Netball Championship.
Gubuduza revealed that the initial offer to Fuller was a two-year contract, but she accepted a one-year deal. The NAM president noted that Fuller had consistently indicated her willingness to extend her contract if she qualified for the World Cup. With the team's successful qualification, NAM is now keen on extending Fuller's stay, given her instrumental role in rebuilding the team with a predominantly youthful squad.
The Malawi Queens squad that competed in the Africa Netball Championship had eight players under the age of 23, making Fuller's achievements even more remarkable. Gubuduza attributed the team's success to Fuller's guidance and the lessons she has introduced, which have benefited not only the team but also NAM as a whole. The changes have helped establish a high-performance environment, which NAM aims to maintain.
Fuller had hinted at extending her deal after the Africa Netball Cup, emphasizing the need for the team to be world-class if they are to compete in the World Cup. She stressed that the team requires dedicated players who can compete at a high level, rather than just participating. Gubuduza echoed this sentiment, stating that NAM is committed to preparing strongly for the Netball World Cup and believes they have the right team and people in place.
However, Gubuduza acknowledged that Fuller has commitments in New Zealand, which may impact her availability. NAM will need to assess how to manage Fuller's schedule to ensure she can spend more time with the team. The governing body will engage with Fuller soon to discuss the extension of her contract and her availability for the World Cup preparations.
Despite the challenges, Gubuduza expressed confidence in Fuller's ability to lead the team to success. She emphasized that Fuller is the best person for the job, having built a strong team and introduced important changes to the team's dynamics. NAM is keen on having Fuller remain with the team through their preparations and progression into the World Cup.
The negotiations for Fuller's contract extension are expected to be concluded soon, with NAM aiming to finalize the details. The team's performance review will also be a key consideration in the discussions. With Fuller's leadership, NAM is optimistic about the team's chances in the Netball World Cup and believes that they have the right people in place to achieve success.
Key points
- NAM is negotiating with coach Debbie Fuller to extend her contract following her successful stint with the Malawi Queens.
- Fuller met all three targets set by NAM, including qualifying for the 2027 Netball World Cup.
- The team's success has been attributed to Fuller's guidance and the lessons she has introduced, which have benefited both the team and NAM.
