Long term supporter becomes title sponsor of Netball Super League
SINGAPORE, 24 February 2016 – Netball Singapore announced today that M1 Limited (M1), Singapore’s most vibrant and dynamic communications company, has become the title sponsor for the 2016 Netball Super League, as it increases its support for the sport.
M1 began its association with netball back in 2009 and over the years has sponsored a variety of netball programmes and initiatives from the grassroots to the national level.
M1 has always been a huge supporter in promoting netball in the community and schools, through sponsoring various Netball Singapore programmes such as the M1 Talent Identification Programme, the M1 Schools Challenge League and the M1 Age Groups KL Tour.
In 2012, M1 and Netball Singapore jointly launched the M1 Corporate Netball Challenge and revived the corporate netball scene. The event has grown from strength to strength with the introduction of the social category and the presence of two New Zealand International netball stars last year.
This year, M1 took a step further with the take-up of the title sponsorship of the M1 Netball Super League (M1 NSL) which features Singapore’s best players.
The M1 NSL’s main aim is to develop the elite national opens and 21s players. It is the main event for top athletes to be selected into the national opens and 21s squads, after nine weeks of scrutiny in a very competitive environment by the national selectors. It therefore is a very vital pathway for Singapore’s elite netball athletes.
The 2016 M1 NSL will see the introduction of a new club side – the Fier Orcas, who finished Runners-up in the division 1 of the 2015 National League. There will be four club sides (Blaze Dolphins, Fier Orcas, Magic Marlins and Sneaker Stingrays) and two selection teams (Mission Mannas and Tiger Sharks), as well as the 21 & Under players who will slot back into their clubs.
Joining the team line-ups at the start of round two on 17th April will be six international players to add some flair and experience. Now into the sixth year of inclusion of international players, they will come from Fiji, Tanzania and Botswana national teams, whom Singapore battled hard with to take 3rd place at the Nations Cup last December.
Returning players, Alisi Naqiri, MVP International Player (IP) for 2015 will join defending Champions Sneakers Stingrays, Hildah Binang, MVP IP for 2014 will join Tiger Sharks and Lilian Sylidion, MVP IP for 2009 will join Blaze Dolphins. Nina Cirikisuva from Fiji will join Mission Mannas whereas Tanzanian players Irene Kanile and Sophie Komba will join Fier Orcas and Magic Marlins respectively. The players are assigned to the teams based on the teams’ player position requirements.
The international players also train with the national team every week, providing Team Singapore with the opportunity to match up against players of different styles and physiques.
The M1 NSL also provides an elite training environment for the development of our coaches, umpires, bench officials, event managers and volunteers.
“We hope the M1 NSL, through developing the skills and professionalism of our elite players and officials, will be able to further contribute to the growth of Singapore’s netball ecosystem and deliver even more exciting playoffs,” said Mr Ivan Lim, Director, Corporate Communications, M1.
Cyrus Medora, Chief Executive Officer Netball Singapore said, “Netball Singapore would like to thank M1 for their continued support and we are delighted to have them as the title sponsor of the Netball Super League this year. We have worked closely with them for over seven years to create events, partnerships and programmes and their support has helped a huge number of players at all levels of the game, from the schools to the corporates and now the elite players. Their support, along with that of our other sponsors is invaluable to the continuing growth and development of netball here.”
The 2016 M1 NSL kicks off on Saturday 12th March, 1pm at the Jurong East Sports Hall. Defending Champions Sneakers Stingrays will play debutants Fier Orcas in the opening game. Entry is free.
About M1
M1 Limited (M1) is Singapore’s most vibrant and dynamic communications company, providing mobile and fixed services to over 2 million customers. Since the launch of commercial services in 1997, M1 has achieved many firsts, including the first operator to offer nationwide 4G service, as well as ultra high-speed fixed broadband, fixed voice and other services on the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN). With a continual focus on network quality, customer service, value and innovation, M1 links anyone and anything; anytime, anywhere. For more information, visit www.m1.com.sg.
About Netball Singapore
Netball Singapore is the national body for netball in Singapore. This well-established organisation has progressed dramatically since it commenced in 1962. It has become a professionally run National Sport Association which generates a proportion of its expenditure through sponsorship and other streams of revenue-generation. The association supports over 60 multi-team club members and over 230 schools have netball in their curriculum.
Netball Singapore’s mission is to encourage, promote and develop netball in Singapore. Singapore successfully hosted the World Netball Championships in July 2011 and the Mission Foods Asian Netball Championships in 2014 at the Singapore Sports Hub with the National team winning the trophy and a place in the 2015 World Cup. The Asian Champs team was also named the Team of the Year (Team Sport) in the Singapore Sports Awards 2015. Singapore was also victorious in the recent SEA Games, winning the Gold medal in the netball event. The National Team are currently ranked 15th in the World (as of 3 August 2015).
