August 2020

One night as I was sleeping, I dreamt that I was in a country somewhere in the world. In a place where a lot of people were clapping their hands, chanting my name, ‘Mary, Mary, Mary!’. It was so surreal. Next moment I found myself laying on my bed, realizing it was all a dream. The dream was a declaration of my future. I did not know the exact details, but I had a clear vision of my future.

My fellow athletes,

Especially my netball lovers and players.

I am happy to write you this letter with the theme ‘Foundation of Passion’ to represent my love and dedication for netball, especially netball in Malawi. Netball was introduced to Malawi a long time ago, at the time Malawi was transitioning from colonial rule to independence. It was in 1975 when women in Malawi were first given the opportunity to play netball. English people who were working in Malawi introduced the sport in schools for children. Netball was also introduced in companies and workplaces where employees would form teams and participate in competitions as a social responsibility. Communities were transformed by the unified characteristics of the sport, particularly women.

Compared to netball players from Western countries, Malawian netball players have very limited career opportunities. They work very, very hard but are often not paid enough for their results. A career as a netball player is often viewed as second class, even within the sports world. Perhaps this is because it is a sport for women. I would like to dedicate this letter to the hard-working netball players pouring out their passion, skills, and talent to represent our country. This letter is dedicated to the coaches and technical officials who use their own resources to train players from a grassroots level to an elite, word-class stage.

My career as a netball player and as a netball coach has been shaped by my beloved family, coaches, teachers, and students. My eight brothers and four sisters would often encourage me to stay in school and participate in sports activities. My brothers were football players, and my sisters were netball players too. My older sister Ruth used to play netball at a club in Lilongwe where our parents were working. I learnt so many new schools while playing at home. I knew since I was a little girl that I would be a netball player and a coach later on when I grow up. Some netball players and coaches who have made an impact on my career are late Grace Sithole, Mrs Edith Kaliati, my sister Emmy Waya Chongwe, my sister Ruth Waya, Joanne Smith, Natalie Swift, Irene Van Dyk, and Margaret Nyika.

I studied electrical engineering at the Polytechnic University of Malawi between the year 2002 and 2003. I continued my studies in the same field in 2004. I proceeded to work for Malawi Telecommunication Limited (MTL) as a technician, repairing telecommunications gadgets. During this time, I developed my leadership and management skills.

My career in netball started when I was 11 years old, whilst I was in primary school. I first featured in a game in Mzuzu where I was part of a club called Oriental Tobacco Sisters, in 1984. In 1987, I joined the Blue Eagle Sisters where I was chosen to be part of the national team which travelled to Zimbabwe; I was 16 years old. It was my first time ever travelling to Zimbabwe. I played netball for the Malawi Queens for 23 years between 1988 and 2011. During my career as a netball player, I have received many awards and medals. To me, the biggest of all the medals is the one I received in 2010 from the Republic of Malawi. It was awarded to me on the 6^th of July, our Independence Day. I was recognized as a senior achiever for my dedication to the sport. I have coached different levels of netball teams including the Malawi Queens National Team, Malawi Netball Under 20 and Under 21s, the MTL Netball Team, Alliance Capital Netball Team, and Thunder Queens Netball Team here in Malawi. Internationally, I have coached the Tanzanian Netball Team, Saint Noah – a Ugandan netball team, and Hertfordshire Mavericks – a netball super league team in England. I have played in 3 Commonwealth games, in 2 world cups, and 400 international games representing clubs and the national team.

Becoming a netball pioneer in Malawi required love, passion, and skill. I am proud to be a Malawian. I love my country and I enjoy representing it on the international stage. Throughout my journey I have learnt a lot of things about leadership and management. I am the first woman to hold a position as the international African Netball Federation tutor and the first Malawian netball coach to coach at a high level in the United Kingdom.

I have dedicated my life to training and empowering youth in Africa and globally through my expertise and passion for netball. I believe girls and young women should participate in sports, especially netball, as they will interact with people from different backgrounds. My passion for netball drove me to open a foundation and a netball academy, where girls come and learn life skills and netball skills. I thank God for my late husband Fumu Ng’omba who was very supportive of my career and work. He would give me advice and encourage me so that I can fulfil my purpose while being a mother of our two boys Charles and William, and other children I have taken in as a caregiver. I believe my underlying passion has allowed me to excel and become the netball pioneer that I am today. It has not been an easy journey, but my love for the sport and the values I uphold – reinforced by the sport, have helped me get to where I am today.

Sincerely,

Mary Waya