By Kopano Monaheng
FROM being the most loved sport in the 70s, 80s and 90s, netball has gradually been losing the spark it was acclaimed for throughout the years in the country.
That is primarily due to the type of netball being displayed these days compared to the one that was played in those years.
The flair is no longer being showcased and that is another reason people lose interest in attending netball matches, be it at school level or on a professional stage.
The other factor is the lack of media coverage, which led Netball South Africa to bring potential investors under one roof with the intention of finding a way to make netball big again.
This sponsorship forum event was held in Rosebank, Joburg. It aims to attract fans back into netball courts. This can only be achieved with the help of the media, much like how they support other sports like rugby, cricket and soccer.
Cecilia Molokwane, president of Netball South Africa, said the main purpose of their gathering was to foster collaboration with sponsors to drive the sport towards financial sustainability.
She said the event followed a series of remarkable achievements for Netball South Africa where last year, under the current administration, the SPAR Proteas and the men’s team celebrated a historic double victory in Namibia, both securing gold.
“South Africa also made history by successfully hosting Africa’s first-ever Netball World Cup in 2023,” she said adding that the national U21 team has qualified for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup, marking yet another milestone for the federation.
On the domestic front, the Telkom Netball League expanded in 2024 with the addition of Tshukudu, its 16th team, intensifying competition and further cementing netball’s growth.
Said Cecilia: “The sport has also witnessed an unprecedented surge in participation, with over 60 men’s teams competing across Senior A, B, and U23 divisions—highlighting the increasing footprint of men’s netball in the country.”
Netball South Africa CEO Modiegi Komane emphasised that these achievements demonstrate the sport’s readiness for the next phase of its evolution.
However, she noted that netball’s progress would not have been possible without the steadfast support of its sponsors.
“We could not have reached these heights without the unwavering commitment of our partners. Their contributions have been invaluable in driving netball’s success,” said Komane.
“While we have made significant strides, securing further corporate investment is crucial to ensuring that netball continues to thrive as one of South Africa’s most prominent sporting codes.”
caption: Modiegi Komane CEO of Netball SA and Netball SA president Cecilia Molokwane. Photo supplied.
