Janine van Wyk on discovering the next generation of stars at JVW Diamond Cup

The 15th edition of the development tournament will take place at Waterstone College in Johannesburg, featuring 32 schools and more than 600 players.

Speaking to SABC Sport, van Wyk says the club’s vision goes beyond winning championships, with a strong focus on identifying and nurturing young talent.

“I expect a highly competitive tournament that gives young girls the opportunity to showcase their talent, challenge themselves and grow through football. For us at JVW, it’s about more than just winning. It’s about creating opportunities, building confidence and inspiring the next generation of female footballers. We want every player to leave the tournament having showcased their abilities and feeling motivated to take the next step in their football journey,” said van Wyk.

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The 39-year-old mentor says the idea behind the school tournament was driven by her passion for football and a desire to create a solid pathway for the growth of women’s football in South Africa.

“The JVW Diamond Cup grew out of our vision to create more opportunities and exposure for girls in football. When Lauren Duncan and I started JVW, we recognised that talented girls needed better structures, platforms and pathways to develop their game. We wanted to create an environment where girls could compete, be recognised and believe that football could become more than just a hobby. The Diamond Cup is an extension of that vision and our ongoing commitment to growing women’s football in South Africa,” added van Wyk.

With more than 600 players expected to compete for the title, van Wyk is confident the tournament will showcase exciting talent and potentially unearth future stars who could progress to club and national team level.