IT’S definitely a family thing.

Eleven players from Moree Services FC Blue soccer team will run onto Narrabri’s Gately Oval on Saturday to play defending premiers Narrabri Eleven FC in the Namoi Football League grand-final – and six of those Moree players are father-son or father-daughter combos.

Steve Pinner and his daughter Olivia, Phil Strahan and son Jonah, and recently married Travis Hook and his stepson, Noah Abra, will wear Moree FC uniforms with pride on Saturday.

Moree Services FC Blue was scissored-kicked into the grand-final after beating Narrabri FC 8-nil at Moree Services Club fields last weekend.

A win will be sweet revenge for the Moree team, after last year’s 2-1 grand-final loss to Narrabri Eleven FC – the same team they’ll meet on Saturday.

(from left) Olivia Pinner and her dad, Steve, father-and-son Phil and Jonah Strahan, and Travis Hook and stepson, Noah Abra, will run on for Moree FC Blue against Narrabri Eleven FC in the Namoi Football League grand-final at Narrabri on Saturday.

But for many Moree players, the grand-final is not only about running on with team-mates – it’s about playing side-by-side with family members.

Sixteen-year-old Olivia Pinner plays alongside her dad, Steve – and treasures every minute of play.

“My dad is my favourite soccer player, even though he isn’t famous,” Olivia smiled.

“I’ve had the opportunity to play alongside dad for the past two years and despite a heartbreaking loss to our other Moree team in penalty shoot-outs during our first year’s semi-final, we are excited to face Narrabri in the grand-final this weekend.

“I appreciate playing soccer with my father because he consistently provides me with constructive feedback to enhance my skills, and despite being his daughter, he maintains a neutral stance, treating me as he would any other player,” she said.

Fourteen-year-old Noah Abra is playing his second year in soccer with stepdad, Travis Hook, after switching from rugby league. He’s played nearly every weekend this season.

Mum, Fallyn and adopted uncle, Ethan Hayes, have been cheering from the sidelines every game.

“I moved over from league last year. I played league for about six years, and now I get to play soccer every week, with more opportunities – I’ve played more games than Trav this year,” Noah laughed.

Mind you, Travis had good reason to miss a few games.

“I took some games off because I got married a couple of weekends ago, and told Noah he could play those games while I watched,” Travis laughed.

“Noah started in junior soccer last year and came across to senior soccer this year. He’s a lot bigger now – got a growth spurt in the last 12 months – and between myself, and encouragement from Ethan, we get to run on together.

“Ethan and myself have got Noah involved, and Ethan is a good coach as well,” he said.

“It’s good to have a few games together. I’ve been playing soccer forever, and wasn’t really planning on playing this year until Noah said he’d try out, and it’s built on from there,” he said.

Moree Services FC Blue are primed to turn the tables on defending premiers Narrabri Eleven FC in the Namoi Football League grand-final at Gately Oval on Saturday.

Phil Strahan and his son, 16-year-old Jonah, strapped on the soccer boots together for the first time this year – and will play alongside each other in the grand-final on Saturday.

“This is our first year together, in soccer. It was only supposed to be Jonah playing, and me filling in, but I haven’t missed a game this year,” Phil laughed.

“I’ve always wanted to play alongside my kids – it’s good – and my daughter, Elsie, also played for Moree Yellow FC for a little while.”

Like Olivia and Noah, Jonah enjoys weekends playing soccer with dad.

“It’s great playing with family, from kicking a soccer ball in the backyard to actually playing in proper matches with dad – it’s really fun,” he said.

Moree FC Blue play defending premiers Narrabri Eleven FC at Narrabri on Saturday – a rematch of last year’s grand-final, when Moree was beaten 2-1.

Moree Services FC president, Sam Adams, said Moree Services FC Blue are primed and ready to turn the tables.

“This is the team who defeated Moree FC Blue in last year’s grand-final, so a win on Saturday means everything,” Adams said.

Words and Images: Bill Poulos