Significant strides continue to be made to close the gap as corporate South Africa recognises the value of investing in women’s sport.

ore than three-quarters of the respondents surveyed in the Nielsen Sports omen’s Sport Report 2019, said they believe that it is important for companies and brands to support women’s sport.

Award-winning insurance company, Momentum, was an early starter way back in 2013, when its investment allowed Cricket SA to offer historic professional contracts to the Proteas women’s cricket team.

This has led to improved performances by the Momentum Proteas on the world stage, and the rise of individual national players, who are starring in professional leagues around the world.

Last November, logistics and supply chain group, Imperial, followed in Momentum’s footsteps, announcing historic professional contracts for the Imperial Lions women’s cricket provincial team.

Let’s not forget that women’s golf also made early moves with the launch of the Sunshine Ladies Tour back in 201 , which has grown in leaps and bounds, producing leading talent and rewarding excellence.

In order to close the gap, the pace of development has to be continually addressed. In 2019, Telkom joined forces with Netball South Africa to elevate the country’s semi-professional league and create a direct feeder to the Spar Proteas team. Now, the Telkom Netball League is delivering red hot talent and widening the talent pool.

Recently, Telkom took a stand to plug an important gap in the development structures, with the launch of the Telkom Netball Championships (TNC), aimed at unearthing future national and international netball stars.

This TNC gives players an opportunity to stake a claim for the Telkom Netball League, which ultimately will boost the level of the semi-professional league.

Petrochemical giant, Sasol, has played a pivotal role in levelling WKH SOD\LQJ ˋHOG DQG XQHDUWKLQJ ZRPHQȢV IRRWEDOO JHPV WKURXJK the Sasol Provincial League, while also standing by Banyana Banyana as title sponsors of the national women’s football team. Banyana Banyana captain, Janine van yk and international star striker, Thembi Kgatlana are two of many South African products of the football system, who have used the platform to step up and make their mark on the global stage.

SAFA’S National omen’s Super League, recently sponsored by Hollywoodbets, is paving the way for local clubs to professionalise WKH VSRUW IROORZLQJ ˋQDQFLDO VXSSRUW IURP WKH VSRUWV EHWWLQJ company.

hile encouraging advancements are being made, there is room for improvement, as the 2020 FICA omen’s Global Employment Report points out key factors to ensure the women’s game is professionalised

• Representation (more women included in decision making) • Career viability (all sporting codes to provide athletes with

full-time, paid careers)

• Gender equity (improvements to remuneration, facilities,

and coaching).

ith the next editions of the Netball and omen’s Cricket T20 orld Cups scheduled for South Africa, there is more effort being put in than ever before to ensuring increased corporate support for women’s sport.