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Limpopo Baobabs

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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

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Brutal Fruit Netball Cup

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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

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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

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Division 2

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

Promotion/Relegation

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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

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Captains

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

Coaches

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Head coaches

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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

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

Honours

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References

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  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.
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