The Northern Cape Diamonds are second on the log standing of division 2 after winning all three of their matches during the first leg of this year’s Telkom Netball League (TNL).
The 2023 edition of the TNL commenced on Thursday,27 April, at the Ngoako Ramahlodi Sports Complex in Seshego, Polokwane, and concluded on Monday, 1 May.
The second and final leg of the league takes place from 2 June until 1 July at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria.
In all three matches played, the Diamonds had a player announced as player of the match.
Not only was Ninelle Jordaan, captain and goal-shooter, announced as the first player of the match for this year’s league, but the Diamonds also succeeded in winning the tournament’s opening match.
The team, competing in division 2, opened the 2023 season on 27 April with a win of 52 – 39 against the Limpopo Lilies.
On 29 April they competed against the Kingdom Queens and secured a 45 – 32 victory. In this match, new-comer Andiswa Dlamini was announced as the player of the match.
The squad’s third match on 30 April, against the Eastern Cape Comets, was another win for the Northern Cape team with 41 – 38. Again, a Diamond player was announced as player of the match, with Bethenie du Raan, goal-keeper, receiving this accolade.
The Diamonds are Jordaan (captain), Stephanie Hanekom, Camilla Nkadimeng (vice-captain), Du Raan, Eureka Mentoor, Courtleigh Behr, Senestie Ponie, Elihle Phali, Kealeboga Kgomoeadira, Anesipho Mgqubeni, Busisiwe Vayo, Dlamini, Amnkelekile Malambile, Benadette Kotze, Kamohelo Swartz and Noluvo Tybosch.
The head coach is Nthabiseng Hottie, with Leoni Ross fulfilling the role of assistant-coach, Ericha Wessels serving as the team manager, and S’fiso Thabethe as the biokineticist.
Telkom has renewed their partnership with Netball South Africa (NSA) by an additional three years, effective from 1 April 2023.
Gugu Mthembu, Telkom’s chief marketing officer, says through TNL the company wants to continue showcasing the best netball talent in the country, and providing a platform for all players and coaches to stand a chance to make the Proteas squad for Africa’s first Netball World Cup.
According to NSA, two new teams were added to the league, with 15 the total number of competing teams.
The two additional teams are from the Free State and Limpopo. These are the Free State Sonoblomo and Limpopo Lilies.
These two teams will compete in the second division of the league, while the Eastern Cape Aloes – the champions of the same division – earn a promotion to the first division.
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