KAYLIN SWART SIGNS FOR JVW

JVW’s First Team goalkeeper union will be growing in size with the most recent signing of Banyana goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart.

Adding to the 2019 Sasol league Champion squad, Swart will bring with her much experience gained from playing both at U.S Collegiate level as well as the Junior and Senior National teams, and will team up with 2019 Goalkeeper of the SASOL Championship, Yolula Tsawe as well as Alexia Cassar in the goalkeeping department. The goalkeeping trio, run under the guidance of Dylan Carreira-Miguel, will focus on a successful run as the club competes in their debut appearance in the SAFA Women’s National League.

The 26 year old who featured at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, came through the ranks under the South African Football Association’s High Performance Centre based in Pretoria, featuring for the Junior National team squads before being promoted to the Senior National team.

Recently appointed as the Randburg Football Club’s (JVW’s Partner Club) Goalkeeper Coach in 2019, Swart has already been a part of the club in a Coaching role, but will now also look to add value to the First Team squad this season. 

We sat down with Kaylin ahead of the start of Pre Season training: 

JVW: Give us a brief breakdown of your playing career

KS: I started out in the SASOL league back in high school around 2009/2010 playing for Springs Home Sweepers and that was the start for me. When I finished High School, and in 2013, I played for UWC where we competed for the league but fell short to Cape Town Roses that year. I left for the U.S and attended AIB College in Iowa before transferring to a Menlo College in California. I studied and obtained a BSc in Sports Management and a minor in Marketing. When I returned to South Africa, I registered for Golden Stars in my home town for the 2019 Season.

JVW: Developed by HPC, how did it help shape you into the player you are today

K.S: For me HPC meant I could take my football further and It helped me a lot in terms of being in an environment where they allowed me to express myself and be the best version of myself both with football and as an Individual. I grew so much at HPC and it was definitely a stepping stone for my football my career and I got the best education at the same time.

JVW: Playing at both the U17 and Women’s World Cup, describe your experiences in both

K.S: There is really no comparison between the two experiences, but I have to say that it’s been the most amazing experience I have ever been apart of. Playing at U17 World Cup was overwhelming, but the push I needed, to know what it takes to be at the top of my game and that experience at the age of 15/16 was priceless. However the Women’s World Cup in France was the ultimate dream come true. I never thought it would happen and when it did, it meant the world to me and my teammates at Banyana. Being there in that environment and being treated the way we always wished for, was amazing and I wouldn’t trade 2019 for the world! 

JVW: Who is your Role Model and why

K.S: My role model has always been Steven Gerard, I’m a huge Liverpool fan and he just embodies everything a player should be. The other athlete that I admire so much and is another role model to me is Hope Solo. Despite all that she went through from her childhood to adulthood she still rose to the top and proved day in and out that she belonged and she will always be the best GK in my opinion

JVW: Signing with JVW, what are your hopes for the club for the upcoming year

K.S: – I couldn’t wait to be part of this setup so I’m looking forward to win games and contribute my skill and ability to this already skilled and great team. I hope that I can help move the club even further forward and definitely fight to be Champions of SA 

JVW: Why JVW

K.S: This was a no brainer! Coming back to SA from being in college in the US, I knew that if I came back I would want to be part of this club. The staff and players are incredible and the chemistry they share on and off the field is something any player would want to be part of and I cannot wait to finally get started with the team!

JVW: What are your thoughts ahead of teaming up with Yolula and Lexi

K.S: I have been looking forward to join this amazing team and in particular the great GK department at JVW for a while now. JVW is an amazing club, and we have the ability to go far and we can push the standard together, by supporting each other on and off the field. It will be on us to ensure that our department gets clean sheets, to assist the team to win games, lift the trophy and be the best Goalkeeping department and team in the country.