Peace Chawinga Kaluwa: A professional netball player and Coach.

Having started as a ball girl of professional netball teams at Blantyre Youth Centre, Peace Chawinga Kaluwa has climbed up the ladder becoming the only all rounder player Malawi has produced.

As a business lady, mother and a wife, Peace, is also a coach of one of the professional netball teams in Malawi with high grades from the United Kingdom (UK) under International Netball Federation (INF), Singapore and Malawi.

“When you focus, every challenge becomes a stepping stone”- Peace Chawinga Kaluwa.

                                                                                                                                                           

Tell us more about yourself?

I was born on 22 August in 1974. My father comes from bolero and my mother from Ntcheu, A third born in a family of eight. I am married to kondwani kaluwa and I have three children, two boys and a girl.  I studied my primary at ST. Pius and went on to ST. Pius Dec and finished with Radon private school. I did accounting, secretarial studies and a computer course as well. However, I stopped working long time ago. I am a busy business lady and a chair lady for women at Calvary Family Church. Apart from that, I'm a qualified netball coach with high grades as well obtained from Malawi, UK under INF and Singapore.

How did you become interested in netball?

I started playing at primary school during the Mayor’s trophy.  I was spotted from there and went on to join shelter nets then called MHC.  Thereafter I joined Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) radio women and then went on to join ADMARC since I was also working there. From that time till now I remain a tigress property. During those old days we used to go to Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) to retrieve and supply balls when the players are playing, as time passed we joined.

How long have you been playing?

I have played netball since I was 12. I joined the senior national team, the Queens, at the age of 16. I played for the Queens for 25 years and captained for 15 years. I was coach for under-21 players and the senior side as well. As for now I am coaching Tigresses.

What positions have you played so far?

I am the only all rounder player Malawi has produced. I played all positions from club level and also all positions at national level. I loved to play as a center player but now when I go into the field of play I play as a shooter.

What does your this position entail?

I make sure I pass accurately as an attacker, running is essential with application of skills; and when I have the chance to shoot I make sure I am in my shooting area so that I don't miss.

How has this journey been like?

The journey has been amazing with some ups and downs. But when you focus on something, God sees you through. Those times we didn't have money but still we played. We listened to our elders as well. There were times when people would pull you down but God was around to raise me up. Never will I forget the ruling time of Mrs chinunda, that time I really felt like leaving everything about netball. But thank God here I am.

How often do you train?

I do coach my team three days a week with some extra days when necessary. I join them most of the times. I also have some time on my own to train because in netball you can't rely on teams only but training alone as well.

Who is the sports icon that has influenced you the most?

The late Annie Nyanga, I will never forget her. She was a probable then and when I went into the national team for the first time, she really encouraged me. Then I was taught and encouraged by the best coaches Malawi soil has ever produced. Late Grace Sithole, Edith kaliati who is still up to now like a mother to me and Griffin Zhagallo Saenda. All these were amazing and it felt like heaven being under them.

What is your favorite professional netball team?

At the National level I don't have a favorite netball team, I just watch but internationally I love New Zealand. Their style of play amazes me. When you look at how they manage their players and teams, It's awesome.

Do you practice a certain diet as a netball player? 

We don't just eat anything, we have a diet. We avoid foods which have much fats and fizzy drinks. So mostly I go for boiled things with bonya as my favorite food

What has been your greatest achievement?

Playing for 25 years for my country, winning cups, putting Malawi on position 5. I have achieved even more as a coach. Winning trophies with my team both on club and also doing great on national level. The greatest achievement is producing players which are known today; the likes of Sindi Simtowe, Grace Mwafulirwa, Julie Sambo, Caroline Ngwira, Linda Magombo, Beatrice Mpinganjira, and Ellen Chiboko who have also contributed a lot to the national team and are still doing that. I'm still in the process of building others who will take after them in due course. This is what gives me much joy as an achiever.

What challenges have you faced as a netball player?

Not many and not that I can point. I was around great people, starting from players and coaches. When you focus, every challenge becomes a stepping stone. To be there needs hard work, humbleness, tolerance because netball is a team work; it’s not something like boxing where you go and fight alone.

How do you overcome the challenges?

I try to put my mind on positive things and not dwell on the negatives. When I ask my God to show me the way, am glad He always does and makes things easy for me.

What is it like being a netball player in Malawi?

In those past days and these days it's different. Netball players don't know that now they can use netball as a carrier so in short in Malawi. They don't take netball seriously. It's like they just need the small money they can get from playing. It's tough. Those days we were training without receiving allowance but now it's difficult for a player to train without money. They don't look far as to what they can achieve. They need to get what they want spontaneously. 

How do you manage your daily endeavors to ensure that you are giving each and everything (and/ or everyone) the required time, not losing your vision in the process?

Planning and doing everything on time. Set priorities first as some things are a priority and others are not. So I balance but through it all God has been my strength.

What can you say to young ladies who are aspiring to become professional netball players?

They should focus and concentrate. Listen to the instructions given. One thing they should know is that anything minus God doesn't work. Netball can be used as an example, so hard work and focus is needed.