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Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
RECENTLY formed Tacca Super Netball League has set its sights on developing the game at the grassroots level by making it mandatory for each one of their teams to have a development side.
TSNL is made up of six teams with all of them bringing on board their juniors to make it a 12-team league.
The breakaway league was formed by former Premier Netball League executive members Sarudzai Chapo, Jebes Muchapondwa and Liberty Mhizha.
Some of its founding teams are PNL 2022 and 2023 runners-up GreenFuel and PNL 2023 bronze medalists Ngezi Platinum Queens together with FilChrist Boarding.
Chairperson Chapo said TSNL are committed to bolstering netball at the grassroots level and become a main feeder channel to the seniors and national teams.
“We believe that every vibrant senior team has a solid junior policy so there is no way we can talk of a strong netball in Zimbabwe without juniors,” she said.
“When we started our project, we agreed that we have several plans that we needed to put into place, and one of our key factors is development.
“To make it work, we then said no team will register in our league without a junior team and we are happy that the strategy is working.”
At the weekend, some of the teams converged at Baobab Netball Complex in Ngezi for match day four of their season.
Chisumbanje-based giants, Green Fuel walked away the biggest winners of the day.
The Sibonginkosi Dube-led side defeated Vixens Seniors 86-03 in a lopsided affair which however left the losing side equipped with a lot of lessons.
They went on to overpower Ngezi Community 43-15 while the host development side beat Chingondo Netball Queens 16-9.
Chapo said despite starting the season late and yet to complete their registration with the Zimbabwe Netball Society, they are happy with the progress.
“This year’s focus was largely on finding our feet and building the momentum by scouting and embracing talent from across provinces,” she said.
“We already have a list of teams and their juniors who have committed to joining us at the start of season 2025.
“Generally a league marathon is based on competition but we want ours to be based more on relations and sharing of skills that will bring growth to our game.”
Next year, TSNL will be hosting periodic clinics where renowned coaches and administrators will share knowledge to equip the rising mentors.
“We have coaches like Bongi from GreenFuel who has made a name by specialising in grassroots development, cultivation of young talent especially in rural areas,” she added.
“The rising coaches and administrators will benefit from a list of celebrated legends who will bring a wealth of experience and expertise.
“Our clinics will offer more than technical skills as we hope to engage gurus from the other leagues “PNL and RANL” if they are open to our invites.
“This will not only pave the way for us to improve our game to a high and equal level but it will also bring a unity of purpose for the good of netball.
“We also hope to create partnerships with various sponsors . . . we are still on the paperwork so it is too early to pre-empty.”
Online Reporter