Netball gets ready for ‘brutality’
THE fourth season of the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League (BFNPL) promises to be bigger, better and more exciting, with the added incentive of winning an all expenses paid trip to New Zealand and the opportunity to play in Super Club Championships, motivation enough to get the players going.
“We are inspired to win our fourth title, especially now that there’s a New Zealand trip,” said Free State Crinums vice-captain Alicia Puren at the launch of the league in Joburg yesterday. “That shouldn’t be the main focus, though, because if we focus on each and every game, it will come naturally. I think it’s a great prize. They’ve been mentioning it since last year and the year before that, but it didn’t happen. But I think it’s phenomenal to be able to play for that and to be able to win and go play there. It‘s a whole different league of netball. We are very excited,” she added.
The players will also receive a weekly allowance and as part of their empowerment, 20 players will receive university bursaries. There’s also two venues added. Bloemfontein will get an opportunity to play hosts and so too Cape Town.
After being in three finals and failing to win, Gauteng Jaguars vice-captain Tshina Mudau is hoping that this year will be different.
“We are taking it step-bystep. We are a very new team. We have 10 new players in our squad, so it’s a totally different ball game ... new experiences, new connections that have to be formed”, said Mudau.
“Our first goal is to get to the final and after that, that’s when you can accomplish your bigger goal. So yes, it’s our fourth time in the finals and hopefully the fourth time (we will be) winning”, said Mudau.
Netball South Africa president Mimi Mthethwa-Zulu believes the league has elevated the standard of netball in the country.
“I think everyone talks netball now. It’s so amazing, even men are interested. I remember people telling me that their fathers changed channels to watch netball. There were so many popular sports going on at the time, but they preferred watching netball. The profile of the netball has been raised because of the (BPNPL). I think it’s also exciting to young aspirant netball players out there. They also want to see themselves playing on TV. And also, when you look at the physique of the players, when you look at how good our players look, anybody who is a sport loving person would want to be part of this tournament.
The league, which consists of 10 teams, will be played over eight weeks across South Africa. Tomorrow’s games will be held at Durban University of Technology. Limpopo Baobas will take on Mpumalanga Sunbirds at 6pm followed by Eastern Cape Aloes against KZN Kingdom Stars at 8pm.