PUMA Gets Behind Netball SA for World Cup & Beyond
Great news for netball fans; Puma South Africa has announced it will be the exclusive kit and off-court shoe partner to supply the Spar Proteas team for the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England in July this year! With a big name brand like Puma on-board, the SA netball squad is sure to grow from strength-to-strength in the lead up to the tournament.
But the partnership doesn’t end there; Puma will also become the long term exclusive kit and shoe partner to Netball South Africa from 1 January 2020, offering the team support throughout the 2020 season. The deal will see PUMA providing kit for all Netball SA teams including SPAR Proteas, SPAR Baby Proteas, U/19 National Team, Presidents XII, Umpires and Netball Premier League Teams, as well as the Netball SA executive. A fan wear and a replica range, designed by PUMA, will also be available from 2020.
The partnership is part of Puma’s commitment to boosting lesser-supported sports in South Africa. PUMA South Africa Marketing Director Brett Bellinger, explained that while netball is undoubtedly the flagship of women’s sports in SA, Puma recognises that “netball is traditionally under-supported and marketed in South Africa and will work with Netball SA to raise the sport’s profile among all South Africans.”
While corporate and governmental support in South African netball has been lacking over the past few years, the sport continues to grow amongst amateur players, with women of all ages participating in netball on a school, university, and social level. Social netball clubs are being inundated with new and experienced players looking for a place to play the game and this backing my Puma is sure to bring validation to netball lovers across the country.
Netball SA CEO, Blanche de la Guerre said they were thrilled to have PUMA South Africa as a partner. “Partnering with a brand like PUMA will ensure our players look and feel great on the court and allow them to perform at their best! I know our girls will support the brand and their investment will further build the legacy of netball in South Africa.”