Janine van Wyk

"I want to help develop young girls -- and not necessarily [only] young girls, but players in general, and just share my expertise and my knowledge that I have gained over the years to other female football players."

"At first it was really difficult to fit in. The boys wouldnt pass me the ball, they didnt accept me into the team so I was kind of isolated from everything."

"White girls played hockey and netball but my love was always football."

"The nearest women’s team I could play for was in a township and as the only white girl it was difficult at first. I had to learn a different culture and background and a whole different language of the game. I had never seen such living conditions in my life. Some of the girls didn’t have any shoes or football boots and I was getting football boots every second or third month. It made me realise how privileged I was and what I had."

"Nothing worth having comes easy and I worked hard to make my dream a reality."

"The reason I continued was the determination of wanting to do well. I knew I had it in me to be a good player. I wasnt weak, I could kick a ball and I just loved playing the game."