Mpumalanga Sunbirds launch 2024 Telkom League team
The Mpumalanga Netball president, Christelle van Wetten, said the selected team consists of players who never gave up during trials and will represent the province well.
The Mpumalanga Sunbirds announced its 2024 Telkom Netball League (TNL) team at Hoërskool Nelspruit on Friday April 19.
Families, friends and various stakeholders came out to celebrate the special occasion during this launch.
Mpumalanga Netball president Christelle van Wetten announced the squad.
Tamika Baker, Atacia Mbuyane, Zanneke Ras, Kayla van Niekerk, Sylvia Lebelo, Kwanele Kunene, Nobuhle Sibisi, Maritske Rautenbach, Hope Sibiya, Tania Hlabane, Lika Booysen, Caitlinn Rousseau, Conny Phala, Phila Ntuli, Seja Kgaabi and Cebile Silinda make up the squad of 16.
The team is led by co-captains Caitlinn Rousseau and Atacia Mbuyane. The vice captain is Hope Sibiya.
Faith Motau is the head coach and the assistance coach is Suzeth Kotze. The campaign manager is Delarey Botha, the team manager is Clarissa Botha and the general manager is Thembi Mgwenya.
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The 2024 TNL starts at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena in Johannesburg on Friday April 26. The Mpumalanga Sunbirds have been competing in this domestic competition since its start in 2014.
Van Wetten congratulated the team. “Make us proud, and we are proud of you.”
During an interview with the newspaper, she said the aim of the launch is to introduce the team and management.
“They will represent Mpumalanga Netball and the province at TNL, which is at national level. It is important for us that they are seen and known. We talked about it; they have to inspire the young girls and everybody who needs hope. We are coming from the Province of the Rising Sun, which is a symbol of hope, so they must give hope.”
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Speaking about the selected team, Van Wetten said: “We watched them going through the trials and we saw a lot of determination. Sometimes we would have to tell them that this is higher level of competition; its not like the provincial club championships. We were looking for the best and they produced. They showed perseverance.”
