New CEO Adam Brooke outlines bold plans as the 2026 Telkom Netball League prepares to take centre stage, with a focus on growth, performance and development.
Johannesburg, South Africa (16 April 2026) – Netball South Africa has officially launched the 2026 Telkom Netball League (TNL), marking a major step forward for the growth and visibility of the sport in the country.
Newly appointed CEO Adam Brooke says his leadership approach will focus on three key priorities. That’s commercial growth, on-court performance, and grassroots development, as he looks to take South African netball to the next level.
“The first one is to commercialise the sport in a bigger way. Netball in South Africa, I don’t believe, has reached the pinnacle of where it can be… through commercialisation and the support of further sponsors, I believe we can take it to another level,” Brooke said.
On the sporting front, Brooke highlighted recent progress by the SPAR Proteas, including a historic series win over England, and says maintaining that upward trajectory is important ahead of major international tournaments.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening grassroots structures to ensure that more young players get access to elite opportunities.
“We need to give young women out there who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to showcase their skills a window to come to the top level… that’s where South Africa’s next talent really springs from.”
The launch of the Telkom Netball League comes as the 2026 season prepares to get underway in April, with Power Week One set for Durban University of Technology, followed by Johannesburg’s Ellis Park hosting Power Week Two, and the final stage scheduled for mid-June.
Brooke says he is particularly excited about seeing the league in action for the first time in a live setting.
“I’m really looking forward to going to Durban next week and watching the women in action.”
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He added that partnerships remain central to the league’s sustainability, especially the long-standing relationship with their title sponsor.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Netball World Cup, Brooke believes South Africa has the talent to compete at the highest level, pointing to standout international performances and emerging players breaking through into the senior setup.
“We’ve got some of the best players in the world at the moment. The talent is there and it’s about what we do with it.”
As he settles into his new role, Brooke says the long-term ambition is to elevate netball into one of South Africa’s leading sporting codes.
“Netball is probably the biggest participative sport in the country, so why it’s not the biggest sport in the country is a mystery. We want to take it to the top echelon of sporting codes in South Africa.”
With the 2026 TNL season set to begin, fans can expect a showcase of rising talent, fierce provincial rivalries, and the continued rise of women’s sport in South Africa.
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