Months of planning came to life in a defining week of elite youth football, as the 2025 VW Vaya Cup winners travelled to the United Kingdom for their international tour.
At the centre of this experience was Forwardzone Group – serving as Volkswagen South Africa’s trusted advisory and experiential partner – playing a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a programme designed to move young players beyond potential and into possibility.
Based in Manchester, the tour carried both footballing prestige and personal significance. The Leeds United inclusion added to this too, with Elland Road and Thorp Arch – once home to Forwardzone client and South African legend Lucas Radebe – provided a powerful setting for the next generation to step into environments that represent the highest levels of the game.
Planning began immediately after the conclusion of the VW Vaya Cup, with a clear objective:
to create a world-class football and cultural experience that would challenge, expose, and inspire.
Working in close partnership with Volkswagen South Africa, Forwardzone curated the journey – from international logistics to securing competitive fixtures against leading English academy opposition.
Guided by Volkswagen’s purpose to Drive People Forward, the tour was built to go beyond participation. It was about:
- Creating meaningful international exposure
- Providing access to elite football environments
- Testing players against different styles and standards
- Expanding horizons beyond the South African game
Matchday: Testing Against Elite Opposition
Across the week, both the U14 boys and U17 girls squads stepped into high-intensity fixtures that demanded adaptability, resilience, and growth.
18 March 2026
Boys: Leeds United vs Mamelodi Sundowns | 5–5
A high-scoring, end-to-end contest that showcased attacking intent and fearless football on foreign soil.
19 March 2026
Girls: Leeds United vs Mamelodi Sundowns | 3–1
A valuable test against a well-structured Leeds side, offering key lessons in game management and intensity.
20 March 2026
Boys: Barnsley FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns | 9–8
A dramatic encounter that pushed both teams to their limits in a relentless, high-tempo battle.
Girls: Derby County vs Mamelodi Sundowns | 0–0
A composed and disciplined performance, reflecting growth and tactical maturity.
More than results, these fixtures represented exposure to new demands – faster play, physical intensity, and different tactical frameworks – all critical to player development.
While matchday provided the competitive edge, the broader experience delivered something equally important: perspective.
Players were immersed in the full ecosystem of English football, beginning with behind-the-scenes access at Elland Road – gaining insight into the inner workings of a historic club and professional environment.
The experience was elevated further with attendance at a live English Premier League fixture between Leeds United and Brentford FC. For many, this was a first-hand encounter with the scale, atmosphere, and intensity of top-flight football – a moment that transforms ambition into belief.
Off the pitch, the group explored Leeds and Manchester, engaging with the culture, pace, and lifestyle that surround the global game.
The VW Vaya Cup International Tour continues to evolve as more than a reward – it is a platform.
A platform where talent is tested.
Where horizons are expanded.
And where young players begin to understand what it truly takes to compete on a global stage.
Through strategic collaboration and a shared vision, Forwardzone Group and Volkswagen South Africa are not only developing footballers – they are creating life-shaping experiences.
Because at Forwardzone, we don’t just create moments.
We build pathways.
#Forwardzone #Volkswagen #DrivingYouthSoccer #VW4Good #VWVayaCup #WinnersTour