Netball Super League | Vitality Netball Superleague Watch: New Zealand vs Malawi

All ten Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) sides are being represented at the Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool this July. When New Zealand face Malawi at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, on the opening day, one player who featured in the 2019 VNSL season will hope to star.

The Lowdown

The Vitality Netball World Cup 2019 will officially get underway as New Zealand face Malawi at 9am on Friday 12th July with both nations hoping to get off to a flying start.

The Silver Ferns are familiar faces at the Netball World Cup, having appeared at all 14 tournaments to date. The team are currently ranked fourth in the world and have never finished the tournament in a position lower than third. In 1967, they claimed their first World Cup win and have secured a further three titles since – 1979 (joint with Australia and Trinidad & Tobago), 1987 and 2003.

2019 will be the Queens’ sixth appearance at a World Cup since 1995 with Liverpool being the fourth consecutive World Cup Malawi has played at. They achieved their highest finish to date in 2007 in Auckland, when they came fifth.

VNSL Players Involved

Joyce Mvula (Malawi Queens & Manchester Thunder)

2019 Vitality Netball Superleague champion, Joyce Mvula, has been called up to the Malawi squad. The Manchester Thunder shooter had an exceptional season, finishing third for goals scored and with a shooting percentage of 90%. Her performances helped the Black and Yellows to their third VNSL title. She also won the Sky Sports Fans’ Player of the Year Award.

Head-to-Head

New Zealand and Malawi have faced each other twice in the sport’s pinnacle event with the Silver Ferns coming out on top on both occasions.

The two sides most recently went head-to-head at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Back in April 2018, the Queens produced a stunning 57-53 win – their first victory over New Zealand. It was also the first time the Silver Ferns had lost to any team other than Australia at a Commonwealth Games.

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