The 2023 edition of the domestic netball league, the Telkom Netball League (TNL), is set to start on the 27th of April at the Ngoako Ramahlodi Sports Complex in Seshego, Polokwane for the opening week before heading to Pretoria in May.
Netball South Africa (NSA) together with its partner Telkom held an official media launch event in Sandton to announce the start of the 2023 TNL season.
Telecommunications giant Telkom, who are the headline sponsors of the domestic league are in the fifth year of the partnership with the netball federation since coming on board in 2019.
In line with Telkom’s commitment to drive the development of netball in South Africa Telkom have also renewed their partnership with Netball South Africa by a further three years effective from 01 April 2023. Telkom are not only sponsors of the league but have also thrown their weight behind the Netball World Cup and are one of the premium sponsors of this global showpiece that will take place in July in Cape Town.
As it has become the new norm, the 2023 TNL will be played across two provinces, with the opening week taking place from the 27 April to the 01 May at the Ngoako Ramahlodi Sports Complex in Seshego, Polokwane.
“Our relationship with Telkom is growing from strength to strength with every year that passes by. As a federation, we are delighted about their commitment to the growth and development of the sport. Their sponsorship renewal for another three years is a testament to their dedication to the sport, and we appreciate that,” said Netball South Africa President, Ms Cecilia Molokwane.
The second and final leg of the league will see games being played at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria between the 2 June to the 1 July 2023. Heartfelt Arena will be home to TNL for the third consecutive year.
Apparel sponsor Puma, who recently launched the 2023 Netball World Cup kit for the national team were also in the room as they unveiled the new kits for the teams participating in this year’s edition of TNL.
Gugu Mthembu, Telkom’s Chief Marketing Officer elaborates on the success of Telkom’s sponsorship saying, “As proud sponsors of this year’s TNL, we look forward to yet another successful competition and ultimately continuing with the development of Netball in South Africa.”
“Through TNL, we want to continue showcasing the best netball talent in the country, whilst growing the sport and encouraging South African youth to stand tall through life’s adversities.” She continues to say that, “TNL will provide a platform for all the players and coaches to raise their hands for a chance to make the final Proteas squad for Africa’s first Netball World Cup.”
Netball South Africa further announced that there will be two new teams added to the league, which will then bring the total number of competing teams to 15. The two additional teams are from the Free State and Limpopo provinces. They will be known as Free State Sonoblomo and Limpopo Lilies, respectively.
The two added teams will ply their trade in the second division of the league, while the Eastern Cape Aloes who are the champions of the same division earn a promotion to the first division.
Molokwane concluded by saying “the addition of two more teams to the league can only mean one thing, and that is we are doing something right when it comes to growing the sport and making our domestic league more competitive.”
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