The 2023 edition of the South African Netball League is set to get underway on April 27 and the excitement is already building up.
Dubbed the Telkom Netball League (TNL), the 2023 campaign is set to start at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Sports Complex in Seshego, Polokwane for the opening week before heading to Tshwane next month.
Together with its partner Telkom, Netball South Africa (NSA) held an official media launch event in Sandton to announce the start of the 2023 TNL season.
Regarded as a telecommunications giant, Telkom is the headline sponsor of the domestic league and is now entering the fifth year of the partnership with the country’s netball federation since coming on board in 2019.
Telkom is not only known as the sponsor of the league but has also thrown its weight behind the Netball World Cup and is 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 April 27 to May 01 at the Ngoako Ramahlodi Sports Complex in Seshego, Polokwane.
Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane said their 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,” she said.
Entertainment SA has gathered that the second and final leg of the league will see matches being played at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria between June and July 2023. Heartfelt Arena will be home to TNL for the third consecutive year.
As also reported by ESA, technical sponsor Puma 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.
According to Telkom’s Chief Marketing Officer Gugu Mthembu, she said they are proud to sponsor the netball league.
“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,” she elaborated.
“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.
“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 and they will be known as Free State Sonoblomo and Limpopo Lilies, respectively.
Main Image: National Netball League/Supplied
