By Sitha Maliwa
The Telkom Netball League (TNL) is back for the 2025 season, and it promises to be bigger and more thrilling than ever before. Netball South Africa, in partnership with Telkom, announced the much-anticipated return of the league, which officially kicks off on Saturday, 26 April 2025. This year, the Sun City Superbowl in North-West Province will serve as the host venue, welcoming fans to what is expected to be an electrifying season of netball action.
As Africa’s largest franchise netball competition, the Telkom Netball League continues to provide a stage for showcasing the best netball talent on the continent. The growing popularity of the league has driven its evolution, and 2025 marks an exciting chapter with two new additions to the competition. For the first time, the SPAR Baby Proteas, South Africa’s U-21 netball team, will compete as part of the league alongside an invitational team from Zimbabwe.
The inclusion of the SPAR Baby Proteas is especially significant as the team gears up for the Netball World Youth Cup later this year in Gibraltar. This development aligns with Netball South Africa’s mission to provide emerging talent with the platform and experience needed to succeed on the world stage.
Netball South Africa and Telkom’s partnership continues to grow, with both organizations committed to the long-term development of netball in South Africa and across Africa. Cecilia Molokwane, President of Netball South Africa, expressed her excitement about the season ahead:
“This season, the Telkom Netball League provides an even bigger platform for both seasoned stars and emerging talent to showcase their skills. As Netball SA, we are proud to be associated with a league that remains committed to developing the next generation of netball champions, ensuring every player has the opportunity to shine on the national stage.”
She continued to highlight the significance of the SPAR Baby Proteas’ participation in the league, referring to it as a milestone in their development as a team:
“This season, we are thrilled to introduce a ground-breaking addition to the TNL league – the SPAR Baby Proteas will compete as the 17th team in preparation for the upcoming Netball Youth World Cup,” Molokwane said. “This will make this season’s TNL even bigger, as it will now be themed around the ‘Road to Gibraltar’ – a Netball SA campaign that aims to celebrate the journey of the SPAR Baby Proteas towards the Netball Youth World Cup 2025. The participation of the Baby Proteas in this year’s league marks a significant milestone in their development, providing them with invaluable experience and a solid foundation for success on the world stage.”
The league will be contested across three Power Weeks, which have become a staple of the Telkom Netball League format. These high-energy weeks are sure to provide fans with thrilling matches, with the first taking place from 26 April to 4 May at the Sun City Superbowl. The second Power Week will be held from 13-17 June, while the third and final Power Week, which will determine the league champions, will take place from 14-20 July.
The Free State Crinums, who have won the Division A title four times, will look to defend their crown, while the KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Stars are eager to prove themselves after narrowly missing out on promotion to Division A in the previous season, following a loss to the Limpopo Baobabs.
Telkom’s continued support for the league is part of its broader commitment to making a difference in South African communities through sport. Hellen Dinawane, Telkom’s Brand and Communications Executive, spoke about the importance of the partnership between Telkom and Netball South Africa:
“The Telkom Netball League signifies a strong and mutually beneficial partnership that Telkom continues to enjoy with Netball South Africa. Through this partnership, Telkom continues to effectively demonstrate its commitment to serving and making a positive impact on the lives of young and aspiring netball players. We look forward to yet another exciting, but more importantly impactful, Telkom Netball League season.”
With less than a month until the season opener, fans can look forward to fast-paced, action-packed netball and a celebration of the sport’s talent and passion. Netball South Africa will soon release fixtures, ticketing details, and broadcast schedules, giving fans all the information they need to follow the competition from start to finish. As the league grows, so does the opportunity for young netball players to shine. With exciting additions like the SPAR Baby Proteas, the 2025 Telkom Netball League is set to be a season to remember. – @NewsSA_Online