Zimbabwe Netball Association president Leticia Chipandu says the Netball Super League will hold promotional playsoffs later this month following the relegation of four clubs last season. REPORT BY SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Mashava, City of Harare, City of Mutare and Rushinga were relegated from the league creating slots for teams from Division One.
“We are going to have playoffs at the end of January for promotion into the Super League. We are yet to decide on the number of teams from each province who are going to take part, but it is likely to be two or three teams from each province. We might promote six teams because we want every region to be represented in the Super League,” she said.
She said they were expecting teams from Bulawayo, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East and Masvingo, while they were yet to confirm if Matabeleland North would be sending any team.
“The Super League teams and the promoted teams will then clash in a pre-season tournament early next month. The tournament will give teams the chance to prepare for the season as well as affording new teams a test of what to expect in the league.”
Railstars won the league in 2011, but could not defend their title last season where Nehanda Nyakasikana reigned supreme, winning 38 games to finish the season unbeaten and to clinch the title.
Chipandu said their major undoing in the sport was lack of funds.
“Our problem is finance. Teams are finding it hard to travel and this has resulted in some teams failing to fulfil fixtures. Rushinga pulled out during the season, while Mashava did not play all their games,” she said.
