Icons return for the sixth season of the Telkom Netball League (TNL). This season marks a period of significant growth and evolution not only for the league but also for the sport of netball itself.
The TNL has emerged as a prominent platform for top players in the country to showcase their skills, with many talents being scouted and selected to represent the national team, the SPAR Proteas, and the under-21 team, the Baby SPAR Proteas.
Presently, South Africa boasts a total of nine players competing in England and New Zealand, all of whom have been part of the Telkom Netball League over the past six years.
In addition, notable international stars have returned to play in the TNL during this period. Former Proteas player Phumza Maweni, who now serves as the assistant coach for the Baby Proteas, made a homecoming after a four-year stint in the Suncorp Super League in Australia.
Maweni joined the Southern Stings before retiring from active play. “Having played with some of the best players in the world and in a professional set up, I can attest to the fact that the Telkom Netball League is just as competitive. I can safely conclude that we have the best semi-professional netball league, and we can be proud of what we have here,” she said.
She further said that: “Others thought that because I have all the international experience, I will just walk into the starting seven, I had to earn my place like any other player because it is that competitive. We can give a few teams in Australia and England a run for their money with our TNL teams.”
Phumza Maweni 🌟 thank you for the magic, the victories, and the indelible mark you've left on the game. Wishing you all the best in your new chapter! ❤️🇿🇦
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) December 14, 2023
👉 https://t.co/690YYQltmu#SPARProteas | #NetballLegend | #ThankYouPhumza pic.twitter.com/V3BFi5PGCR
TNL welcomes yet another notable returnee, Zanele Vimbela, who is making her second comeback after two stints in England.
Vimbela initially returned in 2020 and joined the Gauteng Fireballs after spending a year in the UK. However, she departed shortly after the 2020 season and has now made a comeback in 2024 to join the reigning champions, Jaguars.
Vimbela said: “It is good to be back and must admit that it is a different competitive environment – abroad we played weekly and here back at home we are playing daily, games are faster, and one needs to adjust to it as quickly as possible, I think I have settled in though. There is a lot that we can do to improve the game and the format, for example, play weekly and include gym and training sessions in between.”
“This will help with keeping players well-conditioned. Hopefully, as we turn professional, such things will be implemented. One thing that I think we should explore is more exposure to teams as well,” she further stated.
On this exciting wave of homecoming legends is Karla Pretorius, esteemed as one of South Africa’s finest players and a true legend in the sport.
After representing the Free State Crinums in domestic netball in 2016, Pretorius embarked on a remarkable journey in Australia’s Suncorp Super League, spending seven successful years there.
She has now returned to South Africa and is an integral part of the recently announced 2024 Proteas squad. “Coming back to wear the turquoise dress has been nothing short of amazing, it felt good doing that after an eight-year absence. Playing in front of a home crowd against South African players is just as great,” she said.
She further said: “I am thrilled to be back home, seeing how the game has evolved is utterly amazing. There is definitely a step up in competitiveness from when I last played in the TNL. But there is still a lot that needs to be done to improve it more. Competitiveness will improve as skill improves, intensity increases and matches become more clinical.”
Throughout the past six years, Telkom has made significant contributions to netball, enabling countless young girls to realize their dreams and play the sport at the highest levels.
Telkom’s support and investment have empowered these athletes to envision a future where they can dream big, stand tall, and achieve what once seemed impossible.
“Keep working hard, remain true and honest to what you do, there are a lot of opportunities that will knock on your door if you do that. Now more than ever, we have a lot of overseas-based teams and coaches that have access to the TNL matches which is good so just keep working hard at it – remain disciplined and consistent,” Zanele Vimbela concluded.
#TelkomNL Log Standings as of 6 May end of Power-week 1 🏆💯😃#TelkomNL | #TNLisBack | #netballsouthafrica pic.twitter.com/cHobaXzF8J
— Netball South Africa (@Netball_SA) May 6, 2024
