Kumwenda Re-Signs with Tactix for 2016
Malawi international Mwai Kumwenda has extended her playing contract with the Mainland Tactix, signing on for her third
ANZ Championship campaign in 2016.
Kumwenda joins Silver Ferns triallist Gemma Hazeldine and talented young players Nicola Mackle and Olivia Coughlan as
the first four players to ink their signatures on the Tactix roster for next season.
Mainland Netball CEO Brigit Hearn says it’s exciting to have secured the services of Kumwenda, Hazeldine, Mackle and
Coughlan as the 2016 Tactix squad starts to take shape.
“Mwai has demonstrated over the past two seasons what an asset she is to the Tactix team and we are delighted to have
secured her for another season,” she said.
“She is a key part of the Tactix family and it’s been a priority for us to re-sign Mwai as we continue to build a core
group of players to take our game to the next level.”
“We are equally thrilled that our talented youngsters are recommitting to the Tactix as we continue to implement the
structures that Sue (coach Sue Hawkins) has put in place in 2015.”
Twenty-five year old Kumwenda has been a shining light at the Tactix, named ANZ Championship Best New Talent in 2014 and
consistently in the top three for shooting accuracy in the league. Her 2015 season was a highlight, Kumwenda finishing
with a 91 per cent average over 13 matches, second to SKYCITY Mystics shooter Cathrine Latu.
Hazeldine will play her second season for the Tactix after making a significant contribution to the Tactix this year in
the shooting circle. The versatile 22 year old played ten matches in the regular rounds, giving Hawkins a valuable
option in the attacking end.
Mackle missed the entire 2015 season after suffering a torn meniscus in her right knee in January. On the fast track to
higher honours, Mackle was selected in the Netball New Zealand Development Squad for 2015 and played five ANZ
Championship matches for the Tactix in 2014.
Up and coming talent Olivia Coughlan is a ‘product’ of the Netball Mainland performance player development programme,
having switched positions from shooter to goal defence in recent seasons. Coughlan debuted as a temporary replacement
player for the Tactix in the 2015 ANZ Championship pre-season tournament in Sydney.
ENDS