The Orbis Netball Challenge
with Ama Agbeze
Purpose: Youth Netball Coaching
September 2023: Dates coming Soon!
(Departing Fiday evening, returning Sunday morning)
The Orbis Netball Challenge
Join England Gold Medal winning Captain, Ama Agbeze (MBE) for a once in a lifetime Sports Expedition to Malawi in aid of Youth Netball Coaching. This is the first of it’s kind and combines Travel with a Purpose & a unique chance to see behind the scenes of one of Africa’s oldest cultures and the positive social impact of Sport.
2022 Headliner - Ama Agbeze
Ama made her senior debut for England in 2001 and was a member of the England team that won the bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
In 2016 she was appointed England captain and subsequently captained England as they won the 2016 European Netball Championship, the 2017 Fast5 Netball World Series and the gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
In October 2018, Ama made her 100th senior appearance for England before receiving an MBE for her services to netball in 2019.
Summary
Your group will be hosted by the UK High Commissioner to Malawi and the Malawian Government Minister for Sports on your first evening, discussing the positive role of Sport both Internationally & Domestically and the impact of your trip to the country.
The group will then travel North to the country’s main International Secondary School for a day long Tournament in partnership with surrounding Teams. The group will be joined by some of the country’s national players for the tournament, the famous Malawi Queens!
The group will then travel onto the shores of Lake Malawi to play and coach various rural community teams and grassroots Netball organisations, before travelling onto Liwonde National Park for a Big 5 Safari Experience.
Travelling onto Zomba, the country’s old colonial capital, the group will work alongside rural community teams deep in the heart of the country, experiencing the highs and lows of rural Malawian life.
The week will end with a Tournament hosted by the Country’s Southern International School in the Commercial Capital, Blantyre.
Highlights
Netball Tournaments hosted by the country’s two International Schools in the North & South of the country.
Working with rural community grass root Netball Teams both on the shores of Lake Malawi & Zomba.
A Big Five Safari Experience in Liwonde National Park.
An evening hosted by the UK High Commission & Malawi Minister of Sport in the country’s capital.
Purpose
Our Purpose is in support of the Netball Association of Malawi, the governing body for Youth Coaching in Malawi
The expedition will be working with the organisation before, during & after the week-long event to raise awareness, promotion & support around grassroots & Community based Netball organisations in the country.
“The Orbis challenge for me was the most amazing thing I have ever done....the experiences, memories and friends I have made will last a life time. Seeing the different culture and way of life in Malawi was a real eye opener for me and puts a different perspective on life for sure. Truly happy people who don’t have a lot but make the most of what life has given them. ”
Expedition Outline
Day 1: Arrive and Transfer to your city hotel. Your first evening is hosted by the UK High Commissioner & Malawi Minister of Sport.
Day 2: Netball Tournament at the country’s Top International Secondary School
Day 3: Travel to Lake Malawi to work with community & grass root Netball organisations
Day 4: Spend the day with community & grass root Netball organisations
Day 5: Enjoy a day on Safari in Liwonde National Park, with a Riverboat Safari on the Shire River.
Day 6: The day is spent with Community Grassroots Netball Organisations in Zomba region, the old colonial capital of the country
Day 7: End the Week with a Netball Tournament at the Country’s second International School in Blantyre
Day 8: Depart or further travel
What to expect from The Orbis Conservation Challenge
Your Team: All our teams are hand picked and by application only. We want you to know what to expect and to be passionate about your expedition. Your team will be between 25-30 people and will be supported by our local Orbis ground Team.
Your Accommodation: Accommodation will be in mid range 3-4* hotels. All accommodation has mosquito nets and western sanitation.
Health and Safety: Malawi has malaria and we strongly suggest you take anti malarials, Lake Malawi also has areas where bilharzia is present. We only dive/swim in areas that are regularly tested and free from bilharzia. Please contact us for further health and safety or see our FAQ guide.
Activities: We pack it in! Each day will be filled of things to get involved in. We know Malawi inside out and try and eek out the days from dawn to dusk. We can shift things around and tailor your days to suit your interests so if you have wish list then do let us know.
Local Travel: We are specialists in local travel. We want you to learn as you travel and really get a sense of why Malawi is known as The Warm Heart of Africa. Our guides know everyone and they love to push you just a little out of your confort zone so you can get the most out of your local travel experiences. See our purpose for further info.
Your Support Team: Our home is in Malawi and our local team of guides and support staff will become an integral part of your team. They are there to make sure you are supported throughout your expedition but also to translate, educate and choose the best tunes for the road trips too!
Our team in 2018 chat about their experience taking on the inaugural Sport with a Purpose Orbis Challenge in Malawi.
Watch Dame Kelly Holmes as she takes on The Orbis Challenge - Sport with a Purpose event in Malawi. 2018.
Dame Kelly Holmes talks about her experience on The 2018 Orbis Challenge- Sport with a Purpose event.
Stay a little longer.
We want to show you every bit of this region of Africa because it is simply amazing! Let us know how many days you can add on and we can help you plan- take a local guide or pick up car and head off on a self drive adventure.
Wildlife Safari
We would recommend two add on nights at the beautiful Majete Wildlife Reserve. The reserve now has The Big Five and offers a combination of 4 x 4 game drives and river boat safaris. The lions are a highlight!
Lake Malawi
The Lake of Stars. Eco-Lodges for luxury retreat, back packers for some local action, kayaking adventures or scuba diving courses with the Cyclid Fish, the lake is an essential part of your Malawi to-do list. Our favourite place is Mumbo Island!
Purpose
Use your time in Malawi to Travel with a Purpose. Get involved with one of our linked communities, share your business skills with a Malawian entrepreneur or visit a local family on our village homestay air b n b scheme.
Adventure
We want you to see the whole country! And if you have the time then do head North. Northern Malawi is beautiful, wild, an adventurers paradise. National Parks, Plateaus, Lake shore and stunning rural communities. Explore by 4 x 4 self drive, guided or motorbike!
Further Information
Costs, Inclusions and Payment
The cost of The Orbis Netball Challenge is £2,300 pp.
This price covers everything in country - all accommodation, transport, meals, sporting activities and safari & lake trips. Your tips, visas and drinks (alcohol) are additional.
Flights are around £700, which we can help with if needed.
Travelling to hidden gems of the world can be pricey. Your tourism dollars go miles in Africa and provide employment for our Malawian staff, suppliers and support for our community links. Our prices are competitive whilst also reflecting the incredible Orbis service you get pre/post travel and the back up support we offer during your time in Malawi. So dig deep…it will be worth it!
A 20% deposit of £460 is required to secure your place. From there we can be flexible with a payment plan that suits you.
