EasiYo Tactix 2014 Awards
Media Release
13 June 2014
Malawi import Mwai Kumwenda has been crowned EasiYo Tactix 2014 Player of the Year at the franchise’s annual awards
function at the Clearwater Resort, Christchurch.
Kumwenda made her debut in the 2014 ANZ Championship for the EasiYo Tactix and had a stellar season, shooting 91.4%
accuracy and slotting the most goals of any shooter in the normal season - a mammoth 540 goals, averaging almost 42
goals per match.
Netball Mainland chief executive Brigit Hearn said Mwai contribution to the team has been outstanding.
“Mwai has shown she’s a world class shooter and is a real ambassador for the game. We are truly delighted that she is
returning to her home here in the ‘Mainland’ for the 2015 ANZ Championship campaign,” she said.
Kumwenda also proved popular with her team-mates being awarded the Players’ Choice Award as well.
Jade Clarke was named the inaugural Members Player of the Year. This new award being voted on by the EasiYo Tactix
members based on a points system for the best three players in each game throughout the season.
The gritty mid-courter was unable to attend the awards ceremony having returned home to train with the England squad in
preparation for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
There were plenty of positives to reflect on for the EasiYo Tactix despite a season where they did not feature
prominently on the ANZ Championship ladder. They beat a star studded Haier Pulse team in Round 4 and continue to develop
a youthful group of players, based at the Apollo Projects High Performance Sport facility at Jellie Park in
Christchurch.
Young mid-court defender Chloe Williamson was recognised as the Developing Player of the Year in what is her first
season in the Tactix train-on squad as well as the Netball Mainland under-23 team.
Tribute was paid to EasiYo Tactix coach Leigh Gibbs, who recently announced her retirement from coaching at the ANZ
Championship level.
Gibbs, a former Silver Ferns coach and captain has been with the EasiYo Tactix team since 2012, and made the tough
decision to step down from coaching to continue focussing on developing young talent in her ongoing role as head of high
performance at Mainland Zone.
EASIYO TACTIX 2014 AWARDS
Player of the Year: Mwai Kumwenda
Players Choice Award: Mwai Kumwenda
Members Player of the Year: Jade Clarke
Developing Player of the Year: Chloe Williamson
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