The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has officially unveiled the 2025 KZN Premier’s Netball Cup, marking a groundbreaking milestone in the province’s efforts to foster netball talent and empower young women through sport.
Launched on Sunday, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Netball Federation, the tournament will take place from 5 - 9 March 2025 at the Victoria Mxenge Indoor Complex in Umlazi, south of Durban.
The competition is designed to provide a platform for young women aged 16 to 36, and serves as a crucial building block for the future of netball in the province.
The tournament will feature 12 district-based teams, each representing a local district and named after its respective mayor. The teams will compete for supremacy in one of the province's most prestigious netball tournaments.
A key feature of the competition is the requirement that each 15-member squad must include at least six players under the age of 20, ensuring the inclusion of emerging talent and helping to nurture the next generation of netball stars.
Furthermore, each team must field a minimum of 12 players per match, with at least 50% match participation, promoting both fairness and opportunities for skill development.
A launchpad for future netball stars
Speaking at the launch, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thamsanqa Ntuli, said the tournament will not only showcase the grace and intensity of modern netball, but also offers valuable exposure for players aiming for provincial and national representation.
“Players will have the chance to be scouted for teams such as the Kingdom Stars, KZN’s professional netball franchise, and potentially the Spar Proteas, South Africa’s national netball team. The KZN Premier’s Netball Cup is not just about competition, but it represents a comprehensive strategy to professionalise the sport,” Ntuli said.
The Premier said the tournament aims to contribute to netball’s holistic growth, focusing not only on players but also on coaching, officiating, sports administration, marketing, and sponsorship.
Through these investments, Ntuli said the province is creating pathways for job creation and boosting sport tourism in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Premier also urged local businesses, municipalities, and fans to actively support the sport, both financially and through engagement, to ensure its continued growth and success.
Positioning SA as a dominant force in international netball
The KZN Premier’s Netball Cup aligns with the larger vision of Netball South Africa (NSA), the sport’s governing body, which has been pivotal in positioning South Africa as a dominant force on the global netball stage.
This includes the successful hosting of the 2023 Netball World Cup, which highlighted the country’s rising influence in international netball.
According to NSA, netball is the most popular female sport in South Africa and ranks as the second-most participated sport overall, with over two million active netball players participating on a weekly basis.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has extended its best wishes to all participating teams and encouraged the communities to rally behind their local districts. – SAnews.gov.za
