Discovery said on Thursday morning that it will become the official wellness partner of the national netball team, the SPAR Proteas, reiterating its commitment to women’s sports in South Africa.
The business and Netball South Africa have a three-year sponsorship deal under which Discovery will provide for the players’ physical, emotional, and financial welfare through their brands, including access to banking and medical help.
Given the unfairness of sports sponsorship, this is a purposeful demonstration of our support for female athletes. According to Firoze Bhorat, chief marketing officer of Discovery, “We think that through playing the sport of netball, we will be able to motivate South African women and girls to live more active, healthier lifestyles.”
The agreement is noteworthy since netball is one of the top five sports practiced in the nation among all demographic groups. Moreover, netball is the most popular sport among women, with two million active participants. The sport of netball is hugely significant in South Africa.
People might not be aware that it ranks as the second most popular sport overall and is the top sport performed by women in the nation. With more than 4,7 million fans, netball is also considered one of the top 10 spectator sports worldwide, and interest among adults and children has consistently increased over the past ten years, according to Bhorat. The agreement, which is suggestive of a participation that will go beyond the World Cup in July,
Discovery stated that its goal is to promote the most popular sport for women in the nation as well as to encourage the exceptional athletes on the national team. The support would allow them to advance the sport, according to Cecilia Molokwane, President of Netball SA.
“We are ecstatic to collaborate with a top-tier, cutting-edge brand like Discovery. With this announcement, we’re using sport’s ability to inspire and motivate women and girls to be active and lead healthier lives,” she added.
The Netball World Cup’s sponsorship by Vitality was also disclosed by The Discovery Group. In the 60-year history of the competition, the Vitality Netball World Cup (VNWC2023) will be played for the first time in Africa.
From July 28 to August 6, 2023, the much awaited competition will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Center, with South Africa hosting 15 teams from across the globe.