For the first time ever, Netball South Africa is in a position to nationally contract a group of players, as the sport in the country edges closer to professionalism.
Proteas captain Bongi Msomi and stars Lenize Potgieter and Karla Pretorius are among the 24 players who have become the first contracted national team players in the sport’s history in this country.
The move sees netball edge closer to coveted professionalism in the sport that will hold its next Netball World Cup in Cape Town next year.
Netball South Africa has announced that, of the 24 contracted players, seven are overseas-based, while the remainder are based in South Africa and have featured in the ongoing Telkom Netball League.
“Over the past three years, I have been speaking about the need for and importance of turning the sport professional. This process, this moment right here, is edging us closer to that goal,” said Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane. “Rome was never built in a day, so even here, we will not attain success overnight. This is a work in progress. I am glad we are here, and we are starting with 24 players for now.”
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Head coach Dorette Badenhorst said the contracts, which began on 1 April, were the right move to nudge the sport closer to professionalism.
“We are making history with having these players as the first group of contracted players in South Africa,” Badenhorst said. “I believe we are on the right track and will make valuable progress towards turning netball professional with a move like this. I am happy with the players selected and looking forward to continuing developing each individual to create depth in our national squad and to give them an opportunity at the big stage whenever they are at the appropriate level of readiness for international netball. As a country, we have a wealth of talent and I am excited for the new players in the squad and I am happy with the familiar faces in the squad as they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the group.”
After the TNL concludes, the Proteas will play England and Malawi behind closed doors in preparation for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, starting on 28 July.