To paraphrase the great Walter Koster, “a short view back to the past, 7 years ago…”

I started university. When studying theatre, you think of a stage, an actor (or several) and an audience - and for my first year of Drama and Contemporary Performance at uni, that pretty much was the case.

And then there was a pandemic.

*FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers 2023*

Valentina (Val) Achieng’ Vettore (she/her)

📍Manchester/London

🎭 BA Drama and Contemporary Performance at the Manchester School of Theatre

For me, this meant a big shift in what my artistic practice was and a discovery of a love for film and editing. I also changed quite a bit in general as a person once the pandemic was over.

I became a bit less of a spectator and sought out playing opportunities, eventually co-captaining Queer Park Rangers who play in Division 2 of the AF League (South Manchester). As part of this, I founded our social media page - small as it may have been to start, with most of our followers initially being the other players and friends I badgered into following, I really fell in love with the world of sports media.

*✨Miss Media✨ recording a post-match interview*

From there, I sought out more opportunities, helping out on MatchDay Live, first on cameras before getting a couple stints in the commentator’s chair. I shadowed the Floor Manager for a few of the British Basketball League livestreams and assisted with activation in their double header game, I operated the graphics for the Manchester Giants Women livestreams for their WBBL fixtures, was a sound recordist for a FIBA Women’s EuroBasket fixture, presented at Manchester Fight Night, and was the Media Lead for the FC United of Manchester Women’s First Team and provide live radio commentary for both Men and Women’s First Team fixtures on FC Radio.

I’ve developed a deep love for football and a passion for a plethora of other sports like basketball and F1 which were completely unknown to me pre-pandemic. I still play of course, captaining my side for our bi-weekly “friendly” football matches at Platt Lane. I also am a massive AllTrails fan and love to go on hikes in the Peak District on the odd weekend/bank holiday. I try to run (not quite marathon ready yet) but rest assured, I am a frequent Strava poster, regardless of how mediocre my splits may be. I do enjoy track cycling still (even after my infamous bike crash that took me out of commission for over a month). And I play rugby union - which I picked up after said crash.

On the bench for FCUMW v Durham Cestria (📸: Lewis McKenna)

Val’s Favourite…

The real stuff you clicked on the about section for.

Football Team ⚽️:“Arsenal FC. Fell in love with them when I was like 16/17 thanks to my mate Isaac back in Sixth Form back when we used to watch MOTD at the back of the classroom. It’s been an absolute dream to be able to actually see them win the Prem considering I was way too young to recall the Invincibles Season. And getting to go watch the parade - some of those images will stick with me for life. Got some soft spots for Leyton Orient and West Ham because I’m from East London and of course, FC United of Manchester. Started there for the experience, really fell in love with the ethos of the club.”

Basketball Team 🏀: “So when I started watching it was British basketball I started with and so I feel obliged to say Manchester Giants by affiliation. And I guess that’s the truth since that was my first basketball team. But also I’m from London so should it not be Lions? Definitely would be opening the door to the glory hunter accusations though. In terms of The NBA however, it’s the New York Knicks undoubtedly and to be honest I think I’ve spent more time watching The NBA in recent years. I fell into it more because of the culture and the passion of the fanbase but this current squad is truly something special. I thought Tyler Kolek Christmas Day 2025 was a special moment, and then they produced this play off run. It was beyond incredible.”

Ice Hockey Team 🏒: “This is definitely a more recent sport for me but I’m a Bruins fan (controversial considering I’m a Knicks fan but I’ve never been to the US so I feel like I can get away with it a bit). When I was picking a team it was really a three way split between the Rangers because they’re at MSG like the Knicks, the Bruins and the Panthers - and that was because I love Brad Marchand. I didn’t have DAZN at the time so I got into hockey watching old Stanley Cup games uploaded to YouTube and I watched the Bruins v Canucks, Game 4. It’s a shut out for the Bruins with about 2:47 on the clock in the third period, Marchand had already scored if I remember correctly. He’s battling for the puck and he dips his upper body, Canuck player goes flying over the top of him. The commentators say “Marchand penalty” before the whistle is even blown in such an exasperated way and Marchand whips his gloves off before he even turns because he knew he was about to catch a whooping for it. Next thing you know there’s like 5 men fighting on the ice. And that’s why I ended up with the Bruins. I like my teams with a bit of bite. I do miss Brad though. Also shout out Sidney Crosby because he’s another player I do have a VERY soft spot for.”

F1 Team 🏎️:“Ferrari- undoubtedly. But then I think they’d rescind my citizenship if I said anything else.”

F1 Driver 🏁:“I’d say I generally like all the drivers on the grid currently but I definitely have the softest spot for Carlos Sainz Jr. . I LOVE Max Verstappen. He’s an absolute beast and I think some of the drives he’s had like Brazil 2024 and the championship race in 2025 just really encapsulates how incredible a driver he is - dragging Red Bull to 3rd in the Constructors when his teammates were nowhere to be seen. You simply cannot count him out. And of course there’s Lewis Hamilton because to me growing up, he was ‘Mr Formula 1’ before I even knew or cared about it. An absolute icon and legend of the sport.”

Team Radio 📻:““Fernando is faster than YOU”. Absolutely cold.”

F1 Meme 😂: “That one Team Principals’ Meeting in DTS. “You’ve got a problem, CHANGE YOUR F***ING CAR - THEN YOU CHANGE YOUR CAR BECAUSE CHECO’S BEEN SAYING THE CAR IS F***ED AND YOUR DRIVER’S BEEN GOING OUT.” I quote that an obnoxious amount, I’ve got to say. #TimeToGoPorpoising”

Olympic Event 🥇: “Hard to pick, but track cycling’s ‘Team Pursuit’ race has got to be up there”

Gym Exercise 🏋🏽‍♀️:“Leg Press. EASILY.”

Sporting Memory 💭: “I have quite a few and I’ll probably change my mind at some point. I’d say probably when FC United Women won the Manchester FA Challenge Cup immediately after we got relegated is up there along with the Leeds game we played but I think I’d have to go with the Carabao Cup fixture we played again Liverpool at Anfield. Stunning 0-0 draw. Xhaka got sent off after like, 17 minutes or something and for how were were as a team at that point, and how Liverpool were, you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that was it for us. Funnily enough, I had also recently had a bit of an accident at work so my back had been in bits but when James rang me a few days after that saying he had tickets for £30, I picked up my bag and hobbled over to Euston to begin my expedition up north to link up with him and Jacob. That was my first time seeing Arsenal and the atmosphere in the away end was incredible. I later went to the Wolves game at the Emirates Stadium for the final game of the 2023/4 season which was also an unforgettable day and then to the record breaking Arsenal WFC v Man Utd also at the Emirates with my best friend Jasmine but I think that Carabao Cup fixture was probably my favourite to date. Seeing your favourite team with your favourite people? There just aren’t many feelings like that to be honest. (Also we got a pic with Lee Judges from AFTV which was MINT.)”

Sports Quote 🗣️:“If we’re counting bowling as a sport it’s a toss up between two Weber classics - “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? I AM!” or “Hate me or love me, you watched. That’s all you could do” because they both go insanely hard.