Former Bafana player George Dearnaley bought his own 3rd division football franchise in 2013 and started the process of scouting young players and developing them into players for the professional ranks. In 2015 his amateur team reached the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup and were drawn to play PSL team Platinum Stars away in Rustenburg. The team had no sponsors and George approached JAM International via Grant Fraser and asked if JAM would be interested in sponsoring shirts and caps for the players in return for some advertising boards at the game that was going to be televised on SABC Sport. Grant went beyond the request and sponsored golfers, caps, water bottles and hoodies for the squad. Most of the players had never been on an airplane before, and although they ended up losing 3-0 to the PSL team on a scorching hot day in Rustenburg, the experience was unforgettable and it was the start of a partnership between JAM and a football club that became known as THE MAGIC FC.
In 2017 the team again won the Western Cape Nedbank Cup (amateurs) and were drawn away against NFD team Maccabi in Dobsonville, Soweto. JAM were again involved with providing the squad with their golfers, hoodies and caps and the team jetted up to Johannesburg and this time came away with the result, knocking the professional team out on a penalty shootout! The Magic had made it to the last 16 and Coach George sent one of his players up to Johannesburg for the live draw. “I was invited up for the draw, but I wanted young players to experience these opportunities – I have had my time – now it’s all about young players.” Wade Crowie was instructed to ‘come back with Kaizer Chiefs in the next round’ and the football Gods duly obliged! The Magic were drawn against the Giants of SA football – Kaizer Chiefs – and the game was scheduled for the World Cup stadium in Nelson Mandela Bay. JAM International were right behind the team, with advertising boards at the game and The Magic kitted out again. Incredibly the amateur team from Cape Town held Chiefs to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, but were eventually well beaten 3-0 in extra time.
JAM continued to support The Magic over the next few seasons and were always on hand to ensure the squad looked good off the field as the team tried to win promotion to the Professional ranks of the NFD. The Magic finished 2nd in their W. Cape league for 2 seasons in a row, and in 2022 changed course when they sold their men’s 3rd Division franchise, and bought a ladies 2nd Division SASOL franchise. The team could not play under the Magic brand in the 1st season, but from the start of the 2023 season The Magic Ladies FC has been making waves in women’s football!
JAM Clothing are again committed to sponsoring the club due to the incredible success of both player development as well as the reputation the club enjoys in the local football fraternity. The Magic Ladies FC are currently enjoying great success in the Provincial stream and The Magic Ladies development team has been dominating in their matches.
Magic Ladies are committed to the growth of the women’s game in SA, the empowerment of women in football and creating a safe space for girls to play football at all levels. The womens game is still not well supported by corporate SA, but JAM are showing their support of the women’s game by sponsoring the club with tracksuits, caps and water bottles yet again. A partnership that is into its 8th year with a lot of great memories and many more to come. JAM is helping these young female footballers to create their own MAGIC!
