Months in the making unfolded into an extraordinary weekend of youth football – and Forwardzone Group was at the heart of it being a trusted advisor to Volkswagen South Africa. This year’s VW Vaya Cup 2025, staged at the spectacular venue of Camp Discovery in Dinokeng, Gauteng, marked a powerful first: the tournament’s expansion into a brand-new venue outside the usual borders of Johannesburg. The result? A tournament that truly embodied community, opportunity, and transformation.
Long before the first whistle blew, Forwardzone Group and Volkswagen South Africa were knee‑deep in planning. From securing logistics at Camp Discovery to coordinating 22 eager youth teams, their meticulous groundwork was driven by a shared mission: to “Drive People Forward” in the truest sense of the phrase. The experience aimed to elevate young footballers, enhance local engagement, and build a tournament that resonated far beyond the field.
Bringing the cup to Camp Discovery didn’t just mark geographic growth – it was a deliberate choice to tap into a new environment, and fresh passion. For many young players and fans, it was the first time experiencing this high-profile sporting event that young footballers dream of.
Hosted over an electrifying three-day weekend, the 2025 tournament welcomed 22 teams – 16 boys’ U13 squads and 6 girls’ U16 teams – to compete for top honors. Rivers of talent flowed across the pristine pitches, culminating in spectacular finals featuring the powerhouse Bidvest McCarthy VW Menlyn sides taking the trophy on both sides. Their victories had them walking away as crowned champions – but the real prize will come in the form of a 2026 international training experience, which is currently in the planning phase but is guarenteed to be a once in a lifetime experience for young South African footballers.
While goals and trophies took center stage, Forwardzone’s deeper impact lay in the community experience. New horizons opened with a development team taking part from the Winelands in the Western Cape, where great South African footballing talent stems from.
Over and above the football component itself, local heroes and VW Ambassadors like Lucas Radebe and Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis walked the sidelines, offering inspiration and firsthand guidance as well as VW Influencers introducing a new element of reach and exposure of this tournament. Influencers and ambassadors included Chad Jones, Shawnee Reid, Nathan Molefe, Lindough and Thulani Hlatshwayo.
At the final whistle on June 8, the field wasn’t just marked with white lines – it was marked with the promise of futures reimagined. Trophies lifted. Dreams affirmed.
From concept to execution, the VW Vaya Cup continues to empower tomorrow’s talent and spark showcased community-wide momentum and an experience for both players and spectators.
By amplifying grassroots opportunity, together with VWSA, we aim to continuously craft a pipeline of confident, well-rounded young achievers and can only be done through such partnerships and collaboration which exemplifies a shared commitment to youth, sport, and social upliftment.
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