The season is over for Melbourne Victory but the positive and kind efforts continue with several players taking the time to meet young East Timorese teenager, Melinda Freitas.

The 17 year old is a keen footballer but it will be three months before she’s able to don the boots and play with her friends and team again after just last week having life saving heart surgery to repair damage in her heart caused by acute mitral stenosis.

Captain Steph Catley, Emma Checker, Brianna Davey, and Caitlin Friend enjoyed a friendly kick of the ball, and were all impressed with Melinda’s recovery and strength.

Does Melinda have potential? Well if the words of Steph Catley are anything to go by, yes she does.

“She uses both feet and has good touch” Catley said.

Asked what does it mean to meet with the players? Melinda responded by saying that “It makes me very happy”.

Organised by East Timor Hearts Fund, an Australian based medical charity, Melinda has been supported by her mother Olinda, with the trip made possible by Australian donors and corporate sponsors.