FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO-Masvingo Province has launched its first-ever division 2 Netball League in a move aimed at widening the sport’s base and creating a clear development pathway for nettball players across the province.
The league was officially launched last weekend at the Mucheke Stadium netball courts and has already attracted 14 teams.
Played in a bubble format, the league will see teams converge at Renco Mine grounds on July 25 for the second bubble.
Speaking on the formation of the league, Masvingo Province Division Two Netball League chairperson Rocky Chirindo Kamuzonda said the initiative was inspired by the need to create more competitive platforms for girls and young women.
“What inspired us as a province is the need to widen the player base,” said Kamuzonda.
He said the league would also create a player development pathway, allowing talented netballers from Masvingo to be scouted without having to immediately move to the Premier Netball League (PNL) or Rainbow Amateur Netball League (RANL).
The 14 participating teams are Royal Queens from Manyama, Renco Mine, City Star Masvingo, Econet Masvingo, Dromage Queens from Gutu, ZimParks from Mashava, Shangwa Queens from Nemamwa, Makoholi Queens, Mutimurefu Queens from Gutu, Makweva Stars from Zvishavane, Morgenster College, Reformed Church University, Zimbabwe Institute of Wildlife Conservation from Zaka and Sabi Mine.
Kamuzonda said the league would increase competition by providing players with more fixtures to improve their match fitness, while also giving umpires and officials more opportunities to improve their standards ahead of provincial and national selections.
“More fixtures mean better match fitness, while umpires and officials also get an opportunity to improve their standards ahead of provincial and national selection,” he said.
He added that the league would contribute to the growth of netball in the province by reducing one-sided games and keeping more clubs active.
The league is also expected to provide a possible pathway to the RANL, although promotion will not be automatic.
“The champions will need to apply and be admitted by RANL rather than getting automatic promotion,” said Kamuzonda.
The league brings together teams from different organisations and communities, with organisers targeting 20 teams as the competition grows.
Kamuzonda said this league is a new development for Masvingo Province which previously did not have such a competition.
