Now in its 17th year, the Discovery Schools Soccer programme continues to champion youth health and wellness through football, expanding its reach while creating more opportunities for young South Africans to participate, compete and develop as athletes and individuals.
The programme’s October action culminates in the Discovery JVW Diamond League Playoff, taking place from 17–18 October at Waterstone College in Johannesburg. The tournament highlights Discovery’s ongoing partnership with the Janine van Wyk Football Club (JVW) and its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for girls in football.
Established in 2012, the JVW Diamond League is a 48-team round-robin tournament culminating in knockout stages, with teams competing across three age categories – U15, U17 and U19. The competition provides young female footballers with an important platform to test themselves against some of the best schoolgirl talent, while gaining valuable experience, exposure and confidence.
Co-founder Janine van Wyk says;
“When Lauren Duncan and I started JVW, there were so many talented young girls who didn’t have the same opportunities, structures or pathways that boys had. We wanted to create an environment where girls could not only develop as footballers but also grow as people and believe that they could have a future in the game. The Discovery JVW Diamond league is so much more than just football: It is about creating a community, giving girls a platform and creating a pathway from grassroots football all the way through to senior football. What excites me most is that the talent is there. We now need to make sure we continue creating the right opportunities, environments and pathways for these young players to reach their full potential. We have the talent. We have passion, incredible players and young girls who want to play. I would love to see women’s football become a more sustainable career for players where they can pursue their dreams without having to constantly worry about financial security.”
Since its inception, more than 179 school teams and 3,200 participants have taken part in the Discovery JVW Diamond League, creating additional opportunities for girls to play, compete and pursue their football ambitions.
Through initiatives such as the Discovery JVW Diamond League, Discovery continues to invest in the growth of girls’ football and the development of the next generation of young South African athletes – helping them build confidence, resilience and skills that can shape their futures both on and off the field.
Van Wyk concludes;
“Seeing players who started with us as young girls go on to represent South Africa, play professionally and achieve things they once only dreamed about is incredibly rewarding. For me, this tournament represents possibility. It is proof that if you create the right environment, invest and believe in women, they can achieve incredible things.”
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