MALAWIAN international goaler Mwai Kumwenda showcased her flair and amazing reach under the ring in Ballarat.The Commonwealth Games netballer tested Ballarat Pride’s defence with her agility and uncanny flexibility at the Wendouree Sports and Events Centre on Saturday night.Victorian Netball League’s championship teams are known for sporting Melbourne Vixens’ players in between trans-Tasman duties.But how does a VNL club secure a Malawian goaler as a starting fixture each week?Peninsula Waves coach Robynn Pym said securing Kumwenda had been a two-year process from when assistant coach Maxine Wauchope first saw the goaler in action at the 2009 World Youth Cup in the Cook Islands.Pym said negotiations had focused on improving Kumwenda’s game and Pym has found the self-less rising star has also helped her team-mates and opposition lift their games.Rookie UB Ballarat Pride goal keeper Ingrid Hopkins worked hard to hold her ground against Kumwenda in the first half’s play on Saturday night. Hopkins was promoted on the eve of the VNL season to replace injured defender Danni Davidson.She has since taken some of the toughest assignments each week, including Vixens’ goaler Kathleen Knott.“I think it’s a great experience for a country kid like that, playing against a player like Mwai, “ Pym said.“Any tip or touch they get would have to be a bit of a buzz.“...Certainly our girls are getting better and better at correct passing to her and she lifts up opposition standard too.” Pym said Australian-style netball had added a new dimension to Kumwenda’s game – she had never been double-tagged in the circle until she stepped onto an Australian court.Kumwenda is based with the VNL regional club for the season.Moments before taking to the court in Ballarat, Kumwenda was named in the Malawian team for the Netball World Championships in Singapore this July.