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 next player to come under the spotlight is Malawian defender Towera Vinkhumbo.

Playing for Strathclyde Sirens in the Vitality Netball Superleague (VNSL) Vinkhumbo has steadily made a name for herself with her tenacity and defensive pressure a couple of key characteristics in her game play. Although it has been a difficult start to her VNSL campaign given the COVID-19 pandemic, Vinkhumbo has taken everything in her stride, leaving no stone unturned each time she steps out on court. Still developing her craft at the elite level the Malawian defender is not afraid to use her body to claim prime position under the post to suffocate the attacking movements of her opponent. Partnering with the likes of Emily Nicholl down back the two have created a strong defensive unit able to cherry-pick passes and use their respective strengths to have an influence on the play for the Sirens.

Vinkhumbo is able to effortlessly switch between goal keeper and goal defence such is her netball nous and IQ while her all-round hands over pressure makes life hard for attackers. Deceptively quick on her feet, Vinkhumbo is able to shut down the space in the blink of an eye and pick off passes to propel the ball back down the court. She is a force to be reckoned with through transition, able to flick the switch and bring the ball down the court with great ease and pace to allow her attackers a chance to score. Light in stature, Vinkhumbo does not let that stop her, often using her frame and nifty footwork to dance around opponents and trap them in the backspace rather than engage in a physical push and shove under the post.

Hailing from Malawi the talented defender is often overlooked given the dominance of Joyce Mvula and Mwai Kumwenda down the other end but has proven on more than one occasion that she is capable of dictating the terms in defence. Boasting an impressive lean over the shot Vinkumbo is able to create doubt in the shooters minds and use her aerial presence to reel in any shots that fall short. Standing at 175cm she is not the tallest defender but makes up for it with her intent and vision to slot into the right position or chase down an errant pass to keep her side ahead of the ball-game.

The 30-year-old has become somewhat of a regular fixture in the Malawi Queens lineup having represented her country at a number of Netball World Cups and Commonwealth Games events. Vinkhumbo played an integral role in one of Malawi’s biggest upsets to-date, defeating New Zealand during the Commonwealth Games in 2018. The talented defender was put through her paces against the likes of long bomb specialist Maria Folau and Bailey Mes and showcased her ability to rise to the occasion and make full use of her change of direction and smothering style of defence to nullify their influence under the post. Vinkhumbo has great versatility, able to shake up her game play depending on the needs of her team whether it be the Sirens or the Queens while her output is unquestionable, always attacking the ball at full throttle.