One big family at Merrylands FC

At Merrylands Football Club they like to say they’re one big family but with the Abi-Khattars now on board they have a whole new family to accommodate.

Nassif (13), Therese (11), Joseph (10, David (8), Alex (7) and Thomas (6) will all experience football for the first time when they wear the Merrylands colours in 2015.

Elias and Arze Abi-Khattar agreed football was the best way for their kids to make new friends and get fit but with another baby, Ella, on the scene it looked simply too hard, until Merrylands FC secretary Marian Ney stepped in with practical help.

The club offered the Abi-Khattars reduced registration fees and transport; “As a club we’re going to help them get their kids to every game. We’re going to do it as a support group, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to play,” Ms Ney said.

“We’re very happy and proud to have six children playing in one club and being looked after by very good people,” Elias Abi-Khattar said.

In the afterglow of Australia’s AFC Asian Cup success, the kids see this as the start of something big; “Because I want to be a Socceroo,” 6 year old Thomas said, backed up by his dad; “Thomas has been wanting to play football since he was born. At K Mart or Target or wherever we go he’s getting the ball and kicking it in the shop.”

Now Thomas Abi-Khattar can do it for real.

Merrylands Football Club would like to welcome more families but with two fields at Merrylands Park already over-used and congested they’ve had to cap their numbers at 41 teams; “We’re actually knocking back people because we just don’t have the space. The grounds would just be wrecked before the season starts;” Ms Ney said.

Football NSW is working with all levels of government to help improve the playing surface and provide extra space for all users.