Netball Super League | Vitality Netball Superleague Watch: Malawi v Barbados

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Activity during the Vitality Netball Superleague Grand Final match between Wasps Netball and Manchester Thunder at The Copper Box on May 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for Vitality)

All ten Vitality Netball Superleague sides are being represented at the Vitality Netball World Cup in Liverpool this summer. When Malawi meet Barbados at the M&S Bank Arena on Sunday 14 July, one player who was involved in the 2019 VNSL season will be hoping to star.

The Lowdown

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.

Barbados – also known as the Bajan Gems – first appeared at the Netball World Championships (as it was known then) in 1979 and have played at eight World Cups. Their highest placing was in 1987 when they finished in joint sixth place with the Cook Islands.

Eleventh in the world, the Bajan Gems put on an impressive performance at their regional qualifier, winning every match bar one (against Trinidad and Tobago) to qualify for Liverpool.

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.