Minister Thulas Nxesi, Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League, Durban, 21 – 23 April 2017
Programme Director
The leadership of Netball South Africa
Representatives of the sponsors
Coaches, officials and most importantly the athletes who will be competing here
Ladies and gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to participate in this important event - the 2017 Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League – the country’s first semi-professional netball league.
The league matches commenced yesterday, and will continue over the next eight weekends culminating in the Final scheduled for the 11th June at Mangaung Sports complex in Bloemfontein.
The inaugural edition of the Netball Premier League (NPL) now called the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League (BFNPL) held at the University of Pretoria in May 2014 ushered in a new era for Netball in South Africa and indeed the entire African Continent.
The Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League has come a long way. Originally held at one venue – Pretoria University – it has expanded its reach and is now taking place across four venues in three provinces, namely: here at Durban University of Technology; at UCT Sports Centre; at the Bellville Velodrome and at the Mangaung Sports Complex.
The League provides an important pipeline for talent into the national Protea Squad. It is encouraging to note that players like Phumza Maweni, Lenize Potgieter, Jeanie Steyn, Thulisile Nhleko, Ranskill Stoke, Tumelo Mantjiu, Palesa Mbakwane, Fikile Mkhuzangwe and Nokubonga Sibiya have, through the league progressed to be Netball Proteas.
Also, worth celebrating is the contracting of our players - Bongiwe Msibi, Karla Mostert, Lenize Potgieter and Erin Burger - to play in professional Netball Leagues abroad.
This is a League for women, managed by women. This has undoubtedly raised the profile of netball and the netball players - and these sportswomen role models will continue to inspire many more women and girls.
The 2017 League Champions will get to travel to New Zealand to compete in the Super Club Championships. We wish you well in this international-level competition.
In line with the National Sport and Recreation Plan, the Department of Sport and Recreation will continue to support Netball South Africa in their efforts to unearth, develop and nurture talent. Indeed we are proud to be associated with this initiative. I am confident that we will continue to soar on the international rankings and in due time we will lift an international trophy in Netball.
The League has been a catalyst in beginning to overcome historical divisions – along racial lines and between rural and urban centres – resulting in different skills and performance levels. We encourage you to continue to work for transformation in this important sports code.
To this end, and in order to bridge the resource gap, ten coaches have been selected from all provinces to participate in the Netball South Africa Level 2 Coaching Course to be held later this year. This is part of a long-term coaching development pathway – endorsed by Netball SA and SASCOC and accredited by the Coaching Association of South Africa.
I am also pleased that Brutal Fruit – with Netball South Africa – has announced the introduction of the Brutal Fruit Study Programme to provide opportunities to players in the League to further their studies.
In closing, we are all here today – brought together to celebrate a specific sporting code – netball - but beyond that we are part of something much bigger - united in the belief that sport and recreation is a critical part of a holistic education and a healthy and purposeful life.
Our late President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela – who was himself a sportsperson – had this to say:
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair.”
Best wishes to all the players, as well as the coaches and the officials who have organised this event.
Thank you.
