The Khomas Netball League roars back into action this weekend, with teams set to battle it out at the Wanderers Sports Grounds in what promises to be an exciting start to the new season.

Netball enthusiasts can expect a full slate of matches across the third division, second division and the highly competitive Super 10 division as clubs begin their quest for early dominance in one of the region’s most vibrant leagues.

Among the teams gearing up for action is Unam Jaguars, whose head coach Augusta Mbai admitted that preparations have not been as smooth as they had hoped. 

Despite the challenges, the team remains eager to return to the court and showcase its potential.

“Our preparations were a bit slow and not really where we would have loved them to be,” Mbai said. 

“We lost more than 90% of our players, which was expected because athletes naturally want to play in the Premier League,” she said.

She added that the team is currently in a rebuilding phase and will focus on taking the season one game at a time.

“We are rebuilding, so we will take each and every game as it comes and intensify our preparations as the season progresses. But we are excited to be back on the court and cannot wait to showcase our talent. We are always a team to be reckoned with,” Mbai said. 

She praised the administration of the Khomas Netball League, noting that the competition continues to be run professionally.

“The Khomas League is indeed run professionally. It gives a similar feeling to the bigger competitions, just with a little less stress,” she added with a smile.

Meanwhile, Afrocat Lions are also heading into the new campaign with optimism, despite fielding a relatively young squad. 

Head coach Dimitri Bittler said the team has been working hard since January as they prepare for their respective competitions in the Khomas Netball region.

Bittler said the club currently rates its readiness at about 50%, but the opening matches will provide valuable insight into the team’s strengths and areas for improvement.

“The squad consists largely of a young and talented group of players who are still gaining experience at the league level. The opening weekend will play an important role in helping the technical team determine the depth of the squad and identify areas that require improvement,” he said.

Bittler leads a strong coaching structure at Afrocat Sports Club. 

Festus Festus will oversee the club’s Second Division A side, while Secilia Kasera takes charge of the Second Division B team. 

Anastacia Batista will guide the club’s Third Division team.

“We have a youthful group with a lot of potential,” Bittler said. 

“The opening games will give us a clearer picture of our depth as a club and the areas we need to strengthen as the season progresses,” he added. 

This season also introduces a major change to the competition format, with the Khomas Netball region unveiling a new bonus point system designed to make matches more competitive and encourage attacking play.

Under the new format, teams will earn four points for a win and two points for a draw. 

In addition, teams can earn a bonus point if they lose a match by five goals or fewer (for example, a 45-40 scoreline) or score 45 goals or more during a match. 

This means the maximum number of points a team can earn in a single match is five.

“The bonus point system changes the dynamics of the game. Teams will fight until the last minute because every single goal can make a difference on the log,” Bittler stated. 

Clubs believe the new scoring structure will increase the intensity of matches and keep the league table competitive throughout the season.

“With the introduction of these rules, the league promises to be very competitive and exciting for both players and supporters,” Bittler concluded.

As the season tips off this weekend, fans can look forward to fast-paced netball, emerging young talent and tightly contested matches as teams begin their journey toward league glory. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na