Netball Super League | Malawi Queen Joyce Mvula re-signs for Manchester Thunder for the 2022 season

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 26: Joyce Mvula of Manchester Thunder walks out ahead of the Vitality Netball Superleague Semi Final match between Team Bath v Manchester Thunder at Copper Box Arena on June 26, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott/Getty Images for England Netball)

Joyce Mvula has committed to Manchester Thunder for the forthcoming 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) season, the club confirmed on Thursday.

Mvula is entering her sixth season with Thunder, where she has been a crucial player to the team since joining in 2017, and has played a pivotal role both on and off the court.

The Malawi international is renowned for her strength, splits and shooting accuracy. With 699 goals in 22 appearances, Mvula had an outstanding 91.97% shooting accuracy. Only four players with more than 10 goals had a better rate than Mvula who only finished behind Mary Cholhok in the Gilbert Top Scorer charts.

Mvula hails from David Momba Village in Mzimba, the northern region of Malawi. Starting her netball journey at primary school, she discovered a strong passion to netball, with her flair and determination leading her to snapping up a prestigious secondary school scholarship.

Initially starring for the Blue Eagles Club, where she developed her raw talent, she was soon selected for the Malawi national netball team in 2010, where she played as part of the official national team and made an appearance in the 2014 Commonwealth Games before starring at the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup.

When asked about why she decided to come back to Manchester Thunder, Mvula said: “I love Manchester Thunder because it’s the first club where I have played professionally. Being here has taught me a lot, and I am not the same player I was when I started in my first year here.

“For Shadine [van der Merwe] and Nat [Haythornthwaite] to be here it is an honour for me to play with them as they are great players and I can’t wait to start training with everyone.

“I’m looking forward to the home games because our [Manchester Thunder] fans give us energy when we need it. Also, the sound of the drums makes other teams nervous, so I can’t wait for that.”

Karen Greig, Manchester Thunder Head Coach, said: “Our adopted Mancunian is back and I couldn’t be happier. The past five years with the club has seen Joyce grow and excel both on and off court.

“Last year we saw her develop her game yet again, with her movement, timing and distribution all enabling her and Thunder to work with different tactics. She is unstoppable when she is firing and I know how fired up she is to push on again this season and is hungry for success.”

Mvula becomes Manchester Thunder’s fifth signing of the 2022 Signing Window after Natalie Haythornthwaite, Shadine van der Merwe, Laura Malcolm and Eleanor Cardwell. You can see the Thunder squad as it develops here.

For all the latest of signings during the window, make sure to follow the @NetballSL on Twitter, Instagram and visit our Transfers page.