Kwangwa unlikely to return to Surrey Storm

IT looks like Felisitus Kwangwa’s one-year flirtation with Surrey Storm is over.

The English netball club announced yesterday they have signed Uganda captain Peace Proscovia for the 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague season.

Zimbabwe Gems captain, Kwangwa, wrote her own piece of history in November last year, when she signed a one- year contract with Surrey Storm.

It followed her brilliant performances, during the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England, where she helped the Gems finish in eighth position.

Kwangwa became the first Zimbabwean to play professional netball in England.

The 26- year- old Goal Defender was a stand-out player, at the 2019 Netball World Cup, with three Player of the Match performances. She led the competition in deflections and was sixth for intercepts as Zimbabwe were named team of the tournament.

This did not escape Surrey Storm, who quickly moved in to sign her, for the 2021 Vitality Superleague season in England.

But Kwangwa’s debut appearance was not a fruitful one as Surrey Storm struggled and finished in the bottom half of the table.

They managed only three wins, out of 20 matches, and finished the season in 10th place, in the 11- team league.

Proscovia is the seventh signing announced by Surrey Storm ahead of the 2022 Vitality Netball Superleague season.

The signing window closes on October 15.

Proscovia is joining from the Suncorp

Super Netball League in Australia where, in the past season, she worked at a 90 percent accuracy rate. The 31-year-old scored 670 goals, in 42 games, for the Super Netball franchise, including a career-best of 53 against West Coast Fever, during the 2019 season. She returns to the VNSL for the first time since 2017 where she was a driving force for Loughborough Lightening.

According to Sky Sports, the Uganda captain’s arrival at Surrey Storm marks a real statement of intent from Mikki Austin’s team.

“I feel blessed to be given this opportunity,’’ the Uganda star said. ‘’ I never thought that I could be offered a contract in England again.

‘‘But, I had faith that somehow one day I will get back.

‘‘I have always admired Mikki’s style of leadership and excited to be coached by her.

‘‘Can’t wait to get back to England.” Proscovia has captained the Ugandan national team since 2013, becoming a female sports advocate for the nation.

Surrey Storm coach Austin, who is back at the wheel for the new season, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Peace Proscovia to Surrey Storm.

“She is a class athlete who brings a wealth of skill, experience and accuracy to our squad, her achievements at Loughborough Lightning and Sunshine Coast Lightning has made her one the world best goal shooters.

“She is also an incredible human being who will be such value added to our team environment.”

This will be Austin’s seventh season with Storm where she originally signed in 2015.