Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
PREMIER Netball and Rainbow Netball leagues get down to business this week in what promises to be an exciting season.
This follows a busy off-season transfer window, which had many teams from both leagues heavily involved in player recruitments that are expected to spark excitement once the season starts.
After a successful last season, which had 15 teams competing for honours, PNL only relegated two.
However, as the league still seeks to spread its wings, they went on to promote five teams.
Correctional Stars (ZPCS), Bulawayo Business School College Netball, Zimsmart Nyanga Stars, Chibs Netball, and Ligi Dolphins were promoted from the lower leagues.
Their maiden campaigns start with three bubbles which have been lined up for Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare.
Defending champions ZDF Queens, Harare City and Chapungu are set for big clashes in the opening week.
ZDF Queens will be aiming to defend their title for the third time in succession, while Chapungu are expected to be the dark horse in the campaign.
The Air Force side, who completed last season in third position, have been doing their business quietly, although with all the intent.
Dubbed as the most active in the transfer market, Chapungu boosted their squad, signing at least 10 players.
Gems stars Defender Kelly Muyambo, Yemurai Seveni and Mid-court player Anifa Luya, Beaular Dhaure, Lubelihle Khumalo, Beyonce Ndaradzi and Primrose Kamwendo are now under Chapungu.
They also make the core of the senior women’s side the Gems and their development side, Zambezi Eagles. Muyambo joins from Makate Hyfliers, while Luya and Dhaure were formerly with Flow Angels.
Ndaradzi and Khumalo are moving from GreenFuel, where they were some of the outstanding players in their maiden season in RANL last year.
Their major highlight however, is the coming of head coach Tatenda Shinya, celebrated a former national team gaffer.
Shinya will be assisted by Sonia Juma, who recently transitioned from a player to the team’s technical setup.
PNL spokesperson Innocent Ndiya said all is set for the league season to get underway, with Nedbank meant to continue bankrolling them.
“PNL action starts this week with bubbles in Mutare, Bulawayo and Mutare . . . we expect an exciting season as we continue to develop and unearth more talent,” said Ndiya.
“Our long-term aim is to have at least a team in every district either in topflight or in the lower leagues and I believe that we are walking in the right direction.”
More attention will be on the ZDF and Chapungu fixture with the outcomes from those back-to-back matches expected to influence the championship race.
Meanwhile, RANL have expanded their activities to Hwange.
The Glow Petroleum-funded league has bubbles lined up for Glenview Hall, Maincamp, Khami Prison, Chisumbanje, Zamba Primary and the Colliery.
Defenders Correctional Queens will also be out to guard their title, with the aim of retaining it for the third successive time.
However, they will be without budding Goal shooter Thandazile Ndhlovu, who was most business in the second-half of their season last year.
Ndhlovu is currently playing for Swifts in the Deloitte Netball League in Singapore.
Now all eyes will be back on senior star and former Gems shooter Tafadzwa Mawango.
The shooter, who has bagged the Golden Hand award in the past two years, will be out to defend her title for the third year running.
With her mate and wing attacker, Ednah Nyamhazha who is among the Player of the Season 2025 contenders, the duo will be out to stamp authority.
In Chisumbanje, Greenfuel are once again “rebuilding” after losing some of their players to rival teams.
At the beginning of last year, they were also left hugely shaken after the departure of stalwarts Thandazile Ndhlovu, Faith Mutero, Kelly Muyambo, Sanele Ncube, Thandekile Mahlangu and Unkemetsi Mabuku.
Ndlovu, Mutero, Muyambo and Mahlangu were all vital cogs in the Gems squad as the Chisumbanje-based side rose to be the major feeder into the national team.
Losing all players who commanded a spot in the starting lineup, coach Sibonginkosi Dube had to press the reset button.
Banking on rookies, she completed the season among the top performers, and this time, she is back on the rebuilding once again.
