Online Reporter
Media Mpofu
In a bold and historic move, Zimbabwe will make its debut in South Africa’s prestigious Telkom Netball League, the biggest netball franchise competition on the continent.
The tournament kicks off on April 26 in the North West Province.
This landmark participation is part of Zimbabwe Netball Association (Zina)’s high-performance strategy, with the league forming a key pillar in the team’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers for Australia.
Zina is understood to have formally requested for Team Zimbabwe to be included in the elite competition as part of long-term developmental goals.
Maimba Mapuranga, the Zina spokesperson, said participating in a league of this calibre will provide invaluable exposure for local players, both in terms of playing styles and training systems used in the South African league.
“We are not taking the Gems; we are taking a Zimbabwe Select team which includes some of the Gems. This will help us measure ourselves as the girls will be given an opportunity to play in a very competitive league,” said Mapuranga.
He explained that the head of technical and his backroom staff have assembled a select squad comprising promising young players, who will go into camp in preparation for the league.
The Zimbabwe netball team is brimming with confidence as they gear up to test themselves against some of the finest talent on the continent in the prestigious Telkom Netball League.
Mapuranga added that the team is going into the tournament with serious intent: “We expect the girls to go and show themselves against the world, to compete at the highest level and to win. It is very important that we want them to grow.”
He emphasised the importance of exposure and learning, stating that players will be expected to observe and absorb how other teams operate, lessons that will be integrated into Zimbabwe’s broader roadmap leading to the World Cup in Australia.
Mapuranga also expressed gratitude to their platinum sponsor, Nedbank, for supporting the initiative, while calling for more sponsors to come on board and back the girls’ journey. He said additional support would go a long way in scouting and nurturing more talent to represent Zimbabwe at both junior and senior levels.
With their eyes set firmly on the top prize, Zimbabwe’s netball stars are determined to make a lasting impression on Africa’s grandest netball stage.
