Woods Panthers become first Premier League netball club to sign player from Botswana

A Botswana netballer has etched her name in Netball SA’s history books after becoming the first from the African country to play Adelaide’s Premier League.

Woods Panthers has made Premier League netball history by signing Cheludo David from Botswana. Picture: Brenton Edwards

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A Premier League netball club has made history by signing a player from Botswana.

Woods Panthers last month recruited Cheludo David, becoming the first Adelaide club to bring in a netballer from the African country.

The 200cm-tall goal shooter, from Botswana Netball Association club TACS, has lined up in three top-tier games with Woods.

She will remain in Adelaide until the season ends in August.

David, 24, was touted as an up-and-coming star at the under-21 Netball World Youth Cup, which Botswana hosted in 2017.

Woods Panthers’ recruit from Botswana Cheludo David. Picture: Brenton Edwards

But since then, the Botswana league has struggled to survive due to a lack of sponsors and many players went months without suiting up for their respective teams.

David hopes joining Woods will fast-track her development and provide greater opportunities.

“I really wanted to pursue my career in netball and be the best that I can,” says David, who is living with Woods coach Judi Andrewartha at Aldinga Beach.

“Back at home we don’t have much.

“We have financial problems so the netball league isn’t going so well.

“We just have games once in a while and then if you get lucky and make the national team you play more games.”

David is from the small village of Sebina, about an hour out of Francistown, a city in eastern Botswana, near the Zimbabwean border.

She grew up playing basketball before quitting about four years ago after her dad suggested giving netball a go.

She lined up for Botswana in Namibia’s senior international tournament last year and won silver at the African Region Games in Luanda, Angola, in 2016.

She is still adjusting to Woods’ style of play but hopes to impress and put her name under Super Netball scouts.

“I bring good shooting skills and being a tall shooter,” she says.

“Here at Woods Panthers, they play a very fast brand.

“It’s a really fast transition from defence into attack.

“It shows that back home we do have talent but we don’t get many opportunities.”

Woods Panthers also have the only other international in the competition – Abigail Caple from England.

They are seventh on the ladder with a 2-4 record and play Tango at Netball SA Stadium this Friday night.