The goalkeeping ranks at St Pats look to be in good hands for the future, with the Green family looking after the duties in all but one of the club’s junior grades.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Brothers Matthew (15), Joshua (14) and David Green (9) have all taken on roles as goalkeepers in their early careers and enjoy the challenge of testing themselves in higher age groups.
Matthew currently plays in St Pats’ under 16s and division three men’s sides, Joshua looks after the under 14s, while David keeps for the under 10s in the Miniroos program and also for the St Pats under 11s.
It all started when Matthew was playing in the under 11s and the existing goalkeeper stood down.
He put his hand up to play in goals and hasn’t looked back since, with his younger brothers now following his his footsteps.
The boys’ father, Shane Green, was born and bred in Sydney and grew up playing rugby league and rugby union, but couldn’t be more proud of what they have achieved.
“For me, it’s been about learning the game, which I have no issues with, because they’ve chosen a sport they enjoy and have committed themselves to it,” Green said.
“They want to do well, but the thing I like is their attitude.
“They beat themselves up if they miss a goal, but they move on from it, they don’t drop their heads and they accept the fact they’re not going to save everything.”
Matthew has been the goalkeeper for two of the club’s teams during the past four seasons and made his St Pats’ reserve grade debut on Sunday.
When Joshua came into soccer, he also gravitated into goalkeeping later in the peace.
“He started in the Miniroos program and by the time he got to the Sunday competition, he had that interest in goal keeping and has been in a similar position,” Green said.
“Last year he was keeping in his age group (under 13s) and the next one up (under 14s), but he’s not doing the same this year because the next age up is his brother.”
David, the youngest of the trio, has also grown into the role in recent years, and, from all reports, has been applying himself well.
“He’s had a bit of an influence from his older brothers and he tends to idolise them a bit,” Green said.
David had his first clinic with Premier Football Tuition (PFT) on Sunday, a dedicated goalkeeping academy based out of Melbourne that has had a long-standing relationship with clubs in the region, a program both Matthew and Joshua have also been involved with.
Sessions have been held on a number of occasions on the Border, which has given the boys the opportunity to work with international coaches one-on-one to further enhance their skills.