CSA launches professional domestic women's league

2023 has proved to be a tremendous year for women's sports in South Africa.

In February, the Proteas women contested the final of the T20 World Cup at Newlands in Cape Town, losing narrowly to Australia.

This month, Banyana Banyana performed exceptionally well at the Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, where they reached the round of 16. At the same time, the Proteas netball team finished sixth at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town.

In building on the success of the Proteas women's cricket team, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Tuesday a Professional Domestic Women's League in an effort to grow the game even further in the country.

Rooted in local essence through the best domestic talents South Africa has to offer, as well as the enhanced coaching and medical departments, the new structure is a testament to the developing endeavours in the sport set out by CSA, with the help of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture’s (DSAC) investment of R15 million over three years. 

The league comprises two main tournaments, the CSA Women's One Day Cup and CSA Women's T20 Challenge.

Introducing your professional #CSAWomensLeague teams ?? @LionsCricketSA | @WPWomensCricket | @titans_ladies | @DolphinsCricket #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/8a4cLuY40w

The women's structure is set to undergo significant changes too. The number of permanent contracts in the Top Six Division 1 will be raised from six to 11 players per team. Additionally, there will be an improved and permanent coaching setup consisting of a head coach and an assistant coach and a centralised system for physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches attending to each team.

To further boost motivation among players and competing teams in the first