Training at the elite training facility at the Victorian Institute of Sport, Mwai Kumwenda feels a world away from the maize fields of a remote village in Malawi where she grew up.
From a poor farming family of eight children, her life as an elite athlete with the Melbourne Vixens is a privilege she's still coming to terms with.
"I am the youngest. I grew up in the village so life was tough for me, to see how I am today sometimes I think it is a dream," she told SBS.
She was 14 years old and playing barefoot on a dirt court when she was spotted by the national coach for the Malawi Queens, the African nation's national women's netball side.
Mwai Kumwenda with Malawi's First Lady Madame Gertrude Mutharika (SBS) Source: Supplied
The coach encouraged her to leave her small village, and go to the city to develop her skills.
Terrified to leave her home, she admitted she had to be brave to make the leap.
And several years later, the sport she played for fun suddenly dropped the world at her feet.
"When you live in the village, you have no idea about the world," she said.
"Maybe because how life is there (in the village), you think maybe you just get married when you're young."
Mwai Kumwenda in training (SBS) Source: SBS
Marriage would have to wait.
In 2014, Kumwenda became the first African netballer to sign with a Trans-Tasman Championship team, playing for New Zealand franchise Tactix for two years.
At the end of 2016 she was recruited by the Vixens for the inaugural season of the Suncorp Super Netball league, Australia's premier competition.
The contract earned her enough money to support her mother and family in Malawi.
"She's (mother) very proud of me because the money I get from netball I always help her so she's proud."
Mwai Kumwenda and her mother (SBS) Source: Facebook
Kumwenda is one of two imports for the Vixens this season, and it's an acquisition which was paying off.
After eight consecutive wins, the side is firming up as a premiership contender.
Coach Simone McKinnis said players such as Kumwenda were leading the charge for the inaugural season title.
"I call it ferociously competitive," he said.
"It doesn't matter if it's an easy training run or whatever it might be she's fighting for every ball."
And with just three rounds left, Kumwenda is fighting until the final whistle.
"I want to win. I will work hard with the team. I want to win the championship, that would be a good experience for me."
