{"id":45113,"date":"2023-11-09T09:59:31","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T07:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T13:33:11","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T11:33:11","slug":"my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Since the age of 11, Valintino Mei has had a burning passion to become an excellent soccer player one day. Inspired by Portuguese professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Valintino knows he has what it takes to become just as great. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt all started when I was still very little. I was always a very fast runner, and I love running. I used to run everywhere, then I started running in school. I always came first, in fact, just last week I came first in an 800m race. I\u2019m really fast, ma\u2019am,\u201d the 13-year-old proudly said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although there is no formal soccer team in his school, Mei is not about to let anything deter him from his dream of becoming a professional soccer player. \u201cI must stay fit all the time, so I wake up every morning at 05:00 and train before school, then I train again or just play soccer in my neighbourhood after doing all my homework after school. I like being active outside; it\u2019s where I feel the most free,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Mei\u2019s mother, Marie Beyleveldt died five years ago from a spider bite, his grandmother, Susan Lamb has been looking after him and his two younger siblings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Vilintino is a very good boy, he listens and is good at school. His passion for soccer is something like I\u2019ve never seen before, he\u2019s so determined. I don\u2019t even have to motivate him a lot. He gets up and does just everything to get closer and closer to his dream. I look at him and I\u2019m so proud of the young man he is. He is also such a good big brother to his siblings.<\/div>\n
Lamb <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHis mother was already so proud of him, and I know she would be even more proud now,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another group of people who can\u2019t contain their excitement for Mei\u2019s future are his friends. \u201cThey always tell me they can\u2019t wait to see how my future turns out. I think they see the love I have for soccer. They also have their own dreams and I just want us all to achieve them,\u201d Mei concluded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up next for the youngster is high school, and he said although big school is a huge step, he plans to stay exactly the same, and continue working hard to become the best soccer player.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since the age of 11, Valintino Mei has had a burning passion to become an excellent soccer player one day. Inspired by Portuguese professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Valintino knows he has what it takes to become just as great.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":45115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_eb_attr":"","_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"43b6edd1-6729-4945-a36a-955ebdbc79ce","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Nkosazana Ngwadla","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-45113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer | UD Express (Uitenhage)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Since the age of 11, Valintino Mei has had a burning passion to become an excellent soccer player one day. Inspired by Portuguese professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Valintino knows he has what it takes to become just as great.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"UD Express (Uitenhage)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-11-09T07:59:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-21T11:33:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"341\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"315\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nkosazana Ngwadla\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"UD Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e204c6259f59eee600a8578c6fc1f4d6\"},\"headline\":\"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-09T07:59:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-21T11:33:11+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":406,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2023\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/\",\"name\":\"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer | UD Express (Uitenhage)\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-09T07:59:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-21T11:33:11+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg\",\"width\":341,\"height\":315,\"caption\":\"Valintino Mei is already a good athlete, but has bigger dreams for his future. Photo: Supplied\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"UD Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PEExpress1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/EP_Media24\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@expressonline3000\\\/videos\"],\"description\":\"UD Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch communities since 1971, making it the oldest single-title free sheet in South Africa. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 30,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door across Kariega, Despatch, and surrounding areas every week.\",\"email\":\"udexpress@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"0+2719925650\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e204c6259f59eee600a8578c6fc1f4d6\",\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"UD Express\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/author\\\/udexpress\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer | UD Express (Uitenhage)","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer","og_description":"Since the age of 11, Valintino Mei has had a burning passion to become an excellent soccer player one day. Inspired by Portuguese professional footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, Valintino knows he has what it takes to become just as great.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/","og_site_name":"UD Express (Uitenhage)","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","article_published_time":"2023-11-09T07:59:31+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-21T11:33:11+00:00","og_image":[{"width":341,"height":315,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Nkosazana Ngwadla","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@EP_Media24","twitter_site":"@EP_Media24","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"UD Express","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/"},"author":{"name":"UD Express","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/e204c6259f59eee600a8578c6fc1f4d6"},"headline":"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer","datePublished":"2023-11-09T07:59:31+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-21T11:33:11+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/"},"wordCount":406,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2023","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/","name":"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer | UD Express (Uitenhage)","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg","datePublished":"2023-11-09T07:59:31+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-21T11:33:11+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg","width":341,"height":315,"caption":"Valintino Mei is already a good athlete, but has bigger dreams for his future. Photo: Supplied"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/my-dream-fuels-me-laerskool-innes-learner-on-soccer-20231108\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"\u2018My dream fuels me,\u2019 Laerskool Innes learner on soccer"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/","name":"UD Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization","name":"UD Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"UD Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","https:\/\/x.com\/EP_Media24","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@expressonline3000\/videos"],"description":"UD Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch communities since 1971, making it the oldest single-title free sheet in South Africa. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 30,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door across Kariega, Despatch, and surrounding areas every week.","email":"udexpress@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"0+2719925650","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/e204c6259f59eee600a8578c6fc1f4d6","name":"UD Express","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"UD Express"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/author\/udexpress\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/a764ee5140f6439da0dc578bedc7caaa.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":266438,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/kariegas-xavi-needs-support-for-zimbabwe-tournament\/","url_meta":{"origin":45113,"position":0},"title":"Kariega’s ‘Xavi’ needs support for Zimbabwe tournament","author":"Shanti Jafta","date":"21 August 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Moegamat \"Xavi\" Vockerodt, a 12-year-old football talent, aims to participate in a Zimbabwe tournament. Community support is crucial for funding his journey to success.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The promising Moegamat Shakier Vockerodt, also known as Xavi.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/xavi_76106.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/xavi_76106.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/xavi_76106.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/xavi_76106.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/xavi_76106.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48996,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/strelitzia-bids-principal-farewell-20210414-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":45113,"position":1},"title":"Strelitzia bids principal farewell","author":"UD Express","date":"15 April 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"23 April 2021 will mark Omar Nielson\u2019s final day as Principal of Strelitzia High School as he is going to embark on his new journey of retirement.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":50736,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/soccer-initiative-awards-young-players-20200311-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":45113,"position":2},"title":"Soccer initiative awards young players","author":"UD Express","date":"12 March 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"SWIFTREPONSE Community Empowerment Initiative through Soccer, is a soccer initiative where goal scoring is secondary to empowering youths in formulating their life goals. It was established seven years ago by former professional soccer player Ade Ade","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/b5c177d55f9c4521a4ff8e46a72b051e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/b5c177d55f9c4521a4ff8e46a72b051e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/b5c177d55f9c4521a4ff8e46a72b051e.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/b5c177d55f9c4521a4ff8e46a72b051e.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53863,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/boys-and-girls-invited-to-street-soccer-classic-20180912-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":45113,"position":3},"title":"Boys and girls invited to street soccer classic","author":"UD Express","date":"13 September 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The fifth annual street soccer classic tournament will be hosted by Swiftresponse Street Soccer at the Jubilee Park Sports Fields in Uitenhage on 2 & 4 October.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":52272,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/young-soccer-sensation-honoured-by-rotary-20190710-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":45113,"position":4},"title":"Young soccer sensation honoured by Rotary","author":"UD Express","date":"11 July 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"SOCCER player Bakier Salie, who is heading to participate in an international youth soccer tournament in Denmark, was honoured for his sporting skills.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/95bec63c205a4807b8fbfc86405de92e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/95bec63c205a4807b8fbfc86405de92e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/95bec63c205a4807b8fbfc86405de92e.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/95bec63c205a4807b8fbfc86405de92e.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54591,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/kicking-for-a-cause-school-scores-r35-500-20180502-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":45113,"position":5},"title":"Kicking for a cause – school scores R35 500","author":"UD Express","date":"3 May 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"DURING the Volkswagen Junior Masters soccer tournament held at the University of Witwatersrand (WITS) during December 2017, a Kicking for a Cause goal board was set up where a goal was more than just a number on the scoreboard \u2013 it was a donation tow","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/0d405dbfb1d44eb2862c190b1b1af979.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/0d405dbfb1d44eb2862c190b1b1af979.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/0d405dbfb1d44eb2862c190b1b1af979.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/0d405dbfb1d44eb2862c190b1b1af979.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"UD Express (Uitenhage)","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45113\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45113"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=45113"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=45113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}