BY VUYISWA MABILA
MBABANE – The Eswatini National Netball Association (ENNA) has intensified its preparations for the 2026 Africa World Cup Qualifiers and the 2027 Netball World Cup through a new and innovative approach integrating national teams into the competitive Swaziland Building Society (SBS) Elite Netball Leagues.
The bold initiative aims to strengthen the national teams’ performance and readiness for upcoming international tournaments by ensuring regular exposure to high-intensity matches and advanced competition levels.
“By competing in these elite leagues, our players will gain valuable experience that will enhance their readiness for the international stage,” ENNA said in a statement. “We are building stronger, faster, and smarter teams capable of representing Eswatini with pride and confidence.”
Under this strategy, the senior women’s national team will feature as an invitational side in the Men’s SBS Elite League, while the under-20 women’s national team will compete in the SBS Women’s Elite League. Both teams are expected to benefit significantly from the rigorous competition structure, which will test their physical endurance, tactical discipline, and game intelligence.
The move also aligns with ENNA’s long-term vision to raise the standard of netball in Eswatini and position the national teams as strong contenders on the African and global stage.
The Swaziland Building Society (SBS) has played a pivotal role in the growth of netball since around 2018, when it partnered with ENNA to launch the SBS Elite Netball League. Now in its seventh edition, the league has become the backbone of elite netball in Eswatini, offering a professional platform for both male and female athletes to develop and showcase their skills.
The senior women’s national team will debut in the Men’s SBS Elite League this Saturday at Olympafrica, where they are set to face Phoenix at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to turn out in numbers and rally behind the team as they begin this crucial journey toward the World Cup stage.
(Courtesy Pic)
