2021 Telkom Netball League gets underway
Telkom confirmed last year that they have extended their partnership with Netball South Africa and will continue to be the sponsor of the league again this year.
The 2021 edition of the Telkom Netball League (TNL) has officially been launched and confirmed by Netball South Africa.
The league is in its eighth year and continues to grow and produce more national team candidates.
This year’s edition of TNL is being played over a two-leg split in Pretoria from September 5–12 and Rustenburg between October 9–17.
Due to Covid and current government regulations, the tournament is being staged in a biologically safe environment with no spectators allowed.
All 13 competing teams were checked into a bio-secure bubble on September 3 with games commencing on September 5.
The pay-TV channel, SuperSport, has ensured that viewers can experience the TNL by broadcasting most of the matches while other matches will be live-streamed.
Telkom, who is the headline sponsor of the league confirmed last year that they have extended their partnership with Netball South Africa and will continue to be the sponsor of the league again this year.
“Our goal of turning netball professional is edging closer and closer with every tournament we host and play in. As Netball South Africa, we are truly grateful to have found strategic partners in Telkom, because they continue to enable us to allow many girls an opportunity to play netball at this level and be in line to be scouted not only for national duty but overseas contracts as well,” said Netball South Africa president, Cecilia Molokwane.
“I am positive that this relationship will continue for a while and yield the desired results for both parties.”
Netball South Africa has also confirmed that the players who were selected for the SPAR Proteas recently will not be participating in this year’s edition of Telkom Netball League as they will have to travel to Kingston, Jamaica, halfway through the league.
Players such as Bongiwe Msomi, Izette Griesel, Tshina Mdau, Jessica du Plessis and Khanyisa Chawane, just to name a few, will not be playing for their respective provincial teams this year.
The absence of these players opens the door wide for young emerging players to come to showcase their talents.
In 2020 two new teams, the Kingdom Queens from KwaZulu-Natal and the Tornados from the Western Cape were added and competed in Division B.
As promised during last year’s launch, a new side from the Eastern Cape will be added. And so the Comets is the latest team to join the competition.
Molokwane said, “I am extremely proud because all the 16 players selected for the SPAR Proteas team going to Jamaica, have played in this league over the years meaning the TNL is having the necessary impact.
“I’d like to urge every player in TNL this year to seize the moment and unleash your potential. This is your time so use it wisely.”
Gugu Mthembu, Telkom’s chief marketing officer said, “We are thrilled to see the TNL back once again this year, providing young women with the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against the best talent in the country.
“Through Telkom’s support for netball, we have seen increased growth and participation from more young girls.
In our efforts to grow and further develop the sport, we are launching the Telkom Netball Champs, which is a brand-new property that will help nurture young girls’ talent and showcase their skills in the hopes of being scouted by university coaches and provincial teams.
“We are excited about this new property and hope to see it unearth new talent and encourage more participation in the sport,” said
Benoni’s netball wonder girl, Jamie van Wyk is taking part again this year.
“Due to the juniors World Cup being cancelled this year, the u-21 team got withdrawn so I am playing for the Jaguars this year,” she said.
“We have won all of our games so far and I’m looking forward to the rest of the games and the other bubble that we will be going into during October. I’m enjoying every moment on and off the court.”
Information regarding fixtures and broadcast details will be available on Netball South Africa’s website and all social media platforms.
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