A NEW series looking at underrated players across the netball world is underway with the Draft Central team casting an eye on players who tend to fly under the radar but have proven to have plenty of class and talent across the board. The first player under the microscope is Zimbabwean Felisitus Kwangwa who is set to play in the Vitality Netball Superleague in 2021 with Surrey Storm.

She quickly rose to stardom in the World Cup last year with the tenacious defender leaving no stone unturned with her attacking mentality and impressive closing speed. Kwangwa showcased her array of talents thriving on the big stage and using her spatial awareness and read of the play to dominate. She is a real livewire down in defence and despite not being the tallest player on the court -173cm – uses her impressive elevation to full effect to constantly get hands to ball and disrupt the flow. Kwangwa has a high netball nous able to detect when to double back on the goal shooter or when to ply her trade out the front and act as a barrier to stop her opposition from entering the circle with ease.

She is strong in transition, often utilising her speed and agility to bring the ball down court while also showcasing her clever footwork to constantly create space. The Zimbabwean defender does not stand still, always on the move and mounting defensive pressure with her three-foot marking and unsuspecting nature allowing her to force turnovers. She has deceptively long arms which enables her to swat away passes and although she can be a little bit costly when it comes to turnovers makes up for it with her high work rate.

Faced with some of the best in the world such as Australian Diamond goal attack Gretel Bueta throughout the World Cup, Kwanga proved that she was able to hold her own and put her best foot forward credit to her persistent nature. She was not often overawed instead, used netball brain to think her way through the arm wrestles and use her skillset to have an impact. The 25-year-old defender is a real ball magnet, able to track the ball with great ease and get hands to errant passes such is her skill and desperation. She is more a space defender that relies on shutting down and clogging up the court rather than bodying up on her opponent. This style ultimately plays into her hand as it allows Kwangwa to use her quick change of direction to burst out of the blocks and reel in intercepts or rack up deflections.

In not only her debut World Cup, but so too Zimbabwe’s, Kwangwa managed to rack up an impressive 18 intercepts, 44 deflections, 10 rebounds and 119 centre pass receives highlighting her efforts across the court as both a defensive and offensive option. Kwangwa definitely has the potential to further expand her game with the young defender still developing her craft and somewhat of a raw prospect given her limited exposure to the highest level of netball.

Given she is not from one of the more recognised netballing nations, Kwangwa sometimes flies under the radar but is definitely one to keep an eye out for throughout the 2021 VNSL season credit to her flair and tenacity. She will complement the likes of former Queensland Firebirds training partner Leah Middleton and Niamh Cooper down back making for an exciting season, while the leadership of Mikki Austin and Yaz Parsons will allow for the defender to develop her skills nicely.

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