Netball SA celebrates tournament expansion

The Limpopo Lillies and Free State Sonoblomo will compete in the second division bringing the total number of teams from 13 to 15.

The Lillies will join the Limpopo Baobabs, who finished fourth, in that division, as the second team from the region, while Sonoblomo will be the second Free State representative in the league along with former division one winners Craniums.

Netball South Africa president Cecilia Molokwane explains the decision to offer an extra place to these regions.

"We looked at the demographics of the country and Limpopo is big. For Craniums, it was about performance. They've been champions for three years and last year they came up third. So, we decided to give them a second team. In all the provinces that we had, we had to look at the demographics and performances from last year," Molokwane said.

In keeping with tradition, the 2023 edition, which will be the last domestic competition before the 2023 Netball World Cup, will be played in two provinces. The Ngoako Ramhlodi Sports Complex in Polokwane will host the first week until 1 May, before the final leg takes place in Pretoria from 2 June to 1 July 2023. Molokwane can hardly contain her excitement that her home province of Limpopo is hosting for the first time during a special week for her.

"It's a proud moment for me, considering that it's a very big year for us as Netball South Africa, and leading this organisation has never been child's play. I know I make it look easy but it's one of the toughest things that one can do. Honouring me in a way because, at the opening ceremony, it will be my birthday, at home.”

While other associations, particularly women's sports in the country, continue to struggle for corporate support, NSA announced an extended partnership with the league's headline sponsor, Telkom.

The telecommunications giant, which signed on in 2019, has extended its commitment to the federation effective from 01 April 2023.

Molokwane says this renewed friendship is just a confirmation of the work they are doing.

"When sis Gugu [Mthembu, Telkom’s Chief Marketing Officer] said, another three years, a new one for Netball South Africa, it was quite an overwhelming moment for us. 

There's something right that we are doing as Netball South Africa for Telkom to want to renew for another three years.”