Thulisile Maduna and Nozipho Ntshangase, who represent Kingdom Stars in the Telkom Netball League, received their first national call-ups late last year. Their inclusion in the contracted group marks a significant milestone in their rising careers.
The announcement, made on Monday by Netball South Africa, confirmed a group of 17 contracted national players, supported by an additional seven training partners. This forms part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to building a competitive and sustainable high-performance system.
The 12-month contracts, effective from 1 April 2026, represent a key step in strengthening the national squad pipeline, improving player support structures, and enhancing South Africa’s competitiveness on the international stage.
While remuneration details remain confidential, Netball South Africa confirmed that players will be paid according to structured categories based on experience, number of caps, and their roles within the national setup.
Netball South Africa President Mami Diale emphasised the importance of the announcement, describing it as a step forward in the professionalisation of the sport.
“We are very intentional about professionalising netball in South Africa. We recognise that this is a journey that requires time, investment, and consistency — but this moment represents meaningful progress,” said Diale.
“Ten players were contracted in the previous financial year. To support growth and provide opportunities for players, it was necessary to contract an additional seven players based on their performance.
“We congratulate all the players who have been contracted. The selection process was rigorous, and we are confident that the coaching team has identified a group capable of representing the country with excellence.
“This marks the beginning of a new era for netball in South Africa – one where players are increasingly supported to pursue the sport at the highest level. Creating opportunities for athletes to earn a living through netball is a critical part of that vision, and we are proud to take this step forward.”
Chief Executive Officer Adam Brooke added that the initiative aligns with the organisation’s broader high-performance and commercial strategy.