Soccer stars from St Peter’s College wow Orlando Pirates

Two St Peter’s College learners were selected as part of the U15 and U17 teams for Orlando Pirates after impressing coaches at a number of trials.

Centre midfielder Warwick Meth will play for the U17 team while goalkeeper Valjean Malan has made the U15 squad. Both have played for Orlando Pirates teams before but both are still excited to be playing for their squads.

Trials began last year for the U15 squad and in January for the U17 squad. Since then, teams have been cutting a number of players from the trials teams until this past weekend. “There was a lot of competition among the goalkeepers so I’m very happy to have made the team,” said Valjean. Both players share the hunger to learn more about the game and gain a sufficient amount of experience.

“Because I’m playing a year above my age, I want to test myself physically and learn to play with players older than myself,” said 15-year-old Warwick.

Soccer at St Peter’s College runs all year long, making the balance of sport and schoolwork a difficult one. The chance of taking part in other sports outside of soccer is also tricky, as there is a possibility that it could clash with an already busy schedule for the two players. “I have to get up at 5am and do an hour of studying or any homework that I need to do because I’m getting home at 8 or 9pm every day,” Warwick said.

Valjean echoed his statements and said he also rose early every day but gets to school early to do whatever work is needed. “After school, when I’m waiting to go to soccer I’ll do my work then, or in the car on the way,” he said.

Both players listed Barcelona captain Lionel Messi as their favourite player but had different, and slightly personal reasons for choosing their inspiration.

Warwick named his father as his inspiration who used to play football. “He introduced me to football. Without him, I don’t think any of this would have happened. He coaches me now,” he said.

Valjean said, “Manuel Neuer [Germany goalkeeper] is my inspiration because our pasts are quite similar… We both grew up playing football, at club and academy level to where he is now.”

To play football for a living is the ultimate goal for both players as they are both working hard towards playing overseas in the years to come.

Warwick is currently working on his CV so he can play in another country, and Valjean is building up video content to gain a scholarship to play and study in the United States.

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