She-Be 11
Playing alongside the World’s Best player, Carli Lloyd amongst other Top Internationals, the likes of Morgan Brian, and Brazil’s Andressinha and Bruna Benites, has given van Wyk the opportunity to shine at the highest level. The Dash play in the National Women’s Soccer League more commonly known as the NWSL, and is one of 10 teams in this high-plight competition spread across the United States.
The NWSL was established in 2012, which included eight Professional women’s teams after taking over from the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) League which folded in 2012, citing several internal organization struggles as the primary cause, with the lack of resources being one of the main factors.
Van Wyk’s Houston team began their journey in the NWSL in 2014, after MLS Team Houston Dynamo was awarded an expansion franchise.
Leaving home to follow her dreams was not an easy task for Van Wyk, who leaves behind her Club, JVW FC which she founded in 2012 as well as the rest of her development program, her friends and her family, but playing in the best league in the world was a non-negotiable decision which she had to make.
Spotlight Africa!
Janine is the SAWNT Captian, in her time with Banyana Banyana she has accumulated a staggering and leading 148* Caps for the nation. Her jersey number while representing the country is No.5 and she has scored 11 goals for the national team too.
Other interesting achievements include: SAFA Player of the Year 2010; CAF Women's Footballer of the Year Nominee 2016. Double Olympian 2012 and 2016
Best Highlight: Qualifying for two Olympic Games, and scoring the only goal ever to be scored against Nigeria in Banyana’s historic win over the African Giants
Biggest Challenge: Being a female athlete and not getting equal treatment which makes it challenging to choose between playing the sport you love or to focus on a full time job to earn enough money to live.
Club: Houston Dash (USA)
Squad No.: #55
Former Club: JvW FC (RSA)
Games Played: 14
Games Started: 14
Minutes Played: 1230