Van Wyk recently signed a contract with the club and will be a South African competitor in what is the world’s top league for women’s football.
She was spotted by Dash coach Randy Waldrum playing for Banyana against the USA in July and with the transfer window closed, has had to wait until now to sign on the dotted line.
“They [Dash] were the first team to react after the US match,” Van Wyk told
Backline Soccer. “It was going to happen after that match, but because the transfer window closed, they couldn’t get the signing done. So then Randy worked on it for this coming season. They were the very first club to approach me, and now my heart is with Houston.
“Growing up, I always wanted to play at that level in America, because that’s where women’s football started being recognised. I always wanted to play in a US league, but I never, ever thought I would reach that level.
“But it was always one of my dreams, and seeing the US women’s national team doing so well and being the best in the world, it had to say something about the league.”
Van Wyk has been a stalwart of Banyana for a number of years and is delighted her talent has been recognised.
“I told myself I saw myself playing in this league, and I knew that when we played the USA that if I played well it would be an opportunity for me. Clubs would look at me and want to sign me, and that’s exactly what happened. I still can’t believe it.
“As a South African going there, I’m not just going for myself. I need to go there and perform well, to show other clubs what women’s football is about in South Africa.
“There’s so much talent out here that’s not being exposed, because we don’t play enough good international friendlies. I would be opening up doors for my fellow Africans as a whole for scouts to look at.”
Van Wyk is part of the Banyana squad that will take on France in a friendly international in Reunion on January 22.