Limpopo Baobabs

South African netball team

Limpopo Baobabs
Founded2014
Based inPolokwane
RegionsLimpopo
Head coachEmily Mathosa
LeagueTelkom Netball League

Uniform

Uniform

Limpopo Baobabs are a South Africa netball team based in Polokwane. Since 2014 they have represented Limpopo in the Telkom Netball League. In 2023 they were Division Two champions and, after winning a play-off, they were promoted to Division One.

History

Brutal Fruit Netball Cup

In 2014, Limpopo Baobabs, together with Southern Stings, Kingdom Stars, Mpumalanga Sunbirds and Northern Cape Diamonds, became founder members of Division Two of the Brutal Fruit Netball Cup.[1][2][3] Between 2014 and 2016, Baobabs were coached by Cecilia Molekwane.[4][5] Molekwane subsequently became the president of Netball South Africa.[6]

Telkom Netball League

In 2023, Limpopo Baobabs finished the season as the Telkom Netball League Division Two champions. Baobabs were exceptional in the round-robin stages, winning 13 out of 15 games to qualify for the semi-final. In the final they defeated Western Cape Tornados 65–40.[7][8][9] After defeating Kingdom Stars 55–37 in a promotion/relegation play-off, Baobabs replaced Stars in Division One.[10][11] At the 2023 Limpopo Women in Sports Awards, Limpopo Baobab were named the Team of the Year and their head coach, Emily Mathosa, was named Coach of the Year.[12] In 2024, Baobabs lost all their Division A matches during the round-robin stages but in a promotion/relegation play-off, they defeated Kingdom Stars 65–40 and, as a result, they secured their spot in the top division.[13]

Finals/Playoffs

Division 2

Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
2023[7][8][9] Limpopo Baobabs 65–40 Western Cape Tornados Heartfelt Arena, Pretoria

Promotion/Relegation

Season Winners Score Runners Up Venue
2023[10][11] Limpopo Baobabs 55–37 Kingdom Stars Heartfelt Arena, Pretoria
2024[13] Limpopo Baobabs 65–40 Kingdom Stars

Notable players

Captains

Years Captains
2020–2023 Nthabiseng Mothutsi[14][15][16][17][18]

Coaches

Head coaches

Coach Years
2014–2016 Cecilia Molekwane[4][5]
2017 Dumisani Chauke[19][20]
2018 Jenne-lee Delport[20]
2020 Paulinah Thobakgale[14]
2020–2021 Anna Ledwaba[15]
2022– Emily Mathosa[9][16][18]

Assistant coaches

Coach Years
2021 Vasta Nchefu[15]
2022 Monique Lombard[16]
2023 Tshimangadzo Munyai[18]

Honours

  • Telkom Netball League Division Two
    • 2023
  • Telkom Netball League Promotion/Relegation Play-off
    • 2023, 2024

References

  1. ^ "Brutal Fruit Netball Cup Countdown Begins". gsport.co.za. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  2. ^ "First semi-professional competition for SA netball". www.southafrica.info. 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  3. ^ "SA Netball goes professional with Brutal Fruit". www.sabstories.co.za. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 24 May 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Netball league takes flight". www.citizen.co.za. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Limpopo Baobabs all set for the netball league". www.citizen.co.za. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  6. ^ "50 days to African World Cup". supersport.com. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Baobabs win historic Telkom Netball League Division Two title". netball-sa.co.za. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Baobabs win historic Netball League Division 2 title". supersport.com. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "Emily Mathosa on Leading Limpopo Baobabs to TNL Division Two Title Glory". gsport.co.za. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Limpopo Baobabs wins netball league". www.citizen.co.za. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Limpopo Baobabs promoted to Netball league top division". limpopochronicle.co.za. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Limpopo Baobab team brag with team of the year award". www.citizen.co.za. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Crinums clinch fourth Telkom Netball League Championship Title". netball-sa.co.za. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Netball league resumes with Proteas stars in the mix". www.news24.com. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "Limpopo Baobabs profile 2021". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  16. ^ a b c "Limpopo Baobabs profile 2022". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  17. ^ "TNL2022 Captains Check-In". netball-sa.co.za. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  18. ^ a b c "Telkom Netball League Squads For 2023". www.netballjunkie.com. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Baobabs coach proud of team despite setback". www.citizen.co.za. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  20. ^ a b "Boababs strengthen the team ahead of BFNPL". www.citizen.co.za. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  • Limpopo Baobabs on Facebook
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