Limpopo Baobabs
| Founded | 2014 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Based in | Polokwane | ||
| Regions | Limpopo | ||
| Head coach | Emily Mathosa | ||
| League | Telkom Netball League | ||
| |||
Limpopo Baobabs are a South African netball team based in Polokwane. Since 2014 they have represented Limpopo in the Telkom Netball League. In 2023 they won the Division Two Shield and, after winning a play-off, they were promoted to Division One.
History
[edit]Brutal Fruit Netball Cup
[edit]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
[edit]In 2023, Limpopo Baobabs finished the season as the Division Two Shield winners. 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
[edit]Division Two Shield
[edit]| Season | Winners | Score | Runners Up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023[7][8][9] | Limpopo Baobabs | 65–40 | Western Cape Tornados | Heartfelt Arena |
Promotion/Relegation
[edit]| Season | Winners | Score | Runners Up | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023[10][11] | Limpopo Baobabs | 55–37 | Kingdom Stars | Heartfelt Arena |
| 2024[13] | Limpopo Baobabs | 65–40 | Kingdom Stars |
Notable players
[edit]Captains
[edit]| Years | Captains |
|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | Nthabiseng Mothutsi[14][15][16][17][18] |
Coaches
[edit]Head coaches
[edit]| 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
[edit]| Coach | Years |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Vasta Nchefu[15] |
| 2022 | Monique Lombard[16] |
| 2023 | Tshimangadzo Munyai[18] |
Honours
[edit]- Division Two Shield
- 2023
- Telkom Netball League Promotion/Relegation Play-off
- 2023, 2024
References
[edit]- ^ "Brutal Fruit Netball Cup Countdown Begins". gsport.co.za. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "Netball league takes flight". www.citizen.co.za. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Limpopo Baobabs all set for the netball league". www.citizen.co.za. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "50 days to African World Cup". supersport.com. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Baobabs win historic Telkom Netball League Division Two title". netball-sa.co.za. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Baobabs win historic Netball League Division 2 title". supersport.com. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Limpopo Baobabs wins netball league". www.citizen.co.za. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Limpopo Baobabs promoted to Netball league top division". limpopochronicle.co.za. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Limpopo Baobab team brag with team of the year award". www.citizen.co.za. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Crinums clinch fourth Telkom Netball League Championship Title". netball-sa.co.za. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Netball league resumes with Proteas stars in the mix". www.news24.com. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Limpopo Baobabs profile 2021". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Limpopo Baobabs profile 2022". netball-sa.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "TNL2022 Captains Check-In". netball-sa.co.za. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ a b c "Telkom Netball League Squads For 2023". www.netballjunkie.com. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Baobabs coach proud of team despite setback". www.citizen.co.za. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Boababs strengthen the team ahead of BFNPL". www.citizen.co.za. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2024.