Greece-based Banyana Banyana defender, Janine van Wyk is over the moon following her completion of the UEFA B Coaching Licence.
Like many footballers, she knows that her playing days will not last forever and that is why she decided to equip herself with the coaching badges in Scotland – something very close to her heart as she is the founder of JVW FC, an institution of girls-only club from school level.
She started with the team in the Sasol League and was also there when they won promotion to the highest level of South African Women’s football – the Hollywoodbets Super League.
Van Wyk is the most capped player – both male and female – in the country with 183 appearances for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, whom she helped to their maiden continental title earlier this year as well as the first ever participation in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.
She has also featured in two Olympic Games – London 2012 and Rio 2016 – and has also played in the USA, Denmark and Scotland.
Van Wyk has found a new home in Greece with Ergotelis WFC, in top flight women’s football league.
After weeks of preparation for the start of the new season, she is excited that she will make her debut this weekend.
Centrecircle.online touched base with her and this is what she had to say:
You have just completed your UEFA B Coaching Licence – what does that even mean and how important is it to you?
I’ve always wanted to complete my coaching licences, especially UEFA badges as it counts for a lot more. UEFA B is equivalent to a CAF A licence which will allow me to coach the top league in South Africa, South African Women’s National Teams and some club teams in Europe. I’m really pleased with myself but this is just the start of my coaching journey which I’m excited about.
What is the next step in terms of your coaching badges?
I’ll definitely be looking to complete my UEFA A sometime soon and then UEFA Pro Licence along the way. This is the next step for me after my playing career.
Will we see you on the side-lines as a fulltime coach someday?
I wouldn’t ever see myself far from a football pitch after playing the game, so definitely I will be on the side line coaching a team.
How important is it for players to equip themselves for when their playing days are over?
It’s really important to know as a player what it is that you want to do after playing football. For someone like myself who has been in football so many any years, it’s a field I would love to continue in and I know many former footballers who are now sports administrators, sports anchors, presenters or even coaches. Football isn’t easy to give up and walk away from completely.
Coming to the league in Greece, how have preparations ahead of the start been going? Is the team ready for the upcoming season?
The preparations have been going well. A little too long as the kick off to the league has been delayed. However, the league will start this weekend and I’m excited to make my debut in the Greek super league.
And personally how are you feeling in terms of readiness, fitness, enthusiasm?
I feel ready as can be. Not having played a competitive match in a while really has got me fired up and hungry to play on a continuous basis again and enjoy playing football. Physically I’ve been good but I know once the league starts I’ll be sharp and feel my normal usual self again.
What is the club’s ambition for this year and do you think it’s achievable, especially looking at the preparations you have had?
We have had countless meetings as a team with regards to setting our team goals and ambitions and with the team we have now, it’s been said that it’s been the best it’s ever had in terms of players that have been brought in and we have no doubt that we would be competing to win the league and possibly book a spot in UEFA Women’s Champions League playoffs.
You have been in Greece for many weeks now, and from the time you have already spent in the country, what has been your highlight so far – while waiting for the league to start?
The highlight for me has been working in and around younger players and very talented ones too that seek my guidance on and off the field. I’m happy to be a player to assist with the development of the players and the team as a whole.
Other than that, I would say Greece has a great social lifestyle here and people love to get together and enjoy life, which is something I really love to be part of here.
Are you winning with learning the language?
I understand a couple of words here and there but it’s probably one of the toughest languages I’ve come across. So it would take me a while to fully learn and speak it.
Top 8 important questions about Super League, Women (wikepedia)
#1 Which team in Super League, Women has the most titles?
The team with the most titles in Super League, Women is PAOK.
#2 Which team is the current titleholder in Super League, Women?
The current titleholder in Super League, Women is PAOK.
#3 What rank of competition is Super League, Women in Greece?
Super League, Women is the level 1 division in Greece.
#4 How many rounds are played each season in Super League, Women?
Overall 22 rounds are played in Super League, Women each season.
#5 How many goals are scored on average in Super League, Women in 21/22?
The average number of goals in Super League, Women is 3.18 per game in 21/22.
#6 Is there a playoff round in Super League, Women after the regular season?
There isn’t a playoff competition after the regular season in Super League, Women.
#7 When does the Super League, Women start and when does it finish?
The Super League, Women usually starts in October and ends in May.
#8 How many groups are there in Super League, Women competition?
The teams in Super League, Women are placed in 1 group.
By Matlhomola Morake
