MATT Morris was destined to leave his mark in the Newcastle Football Federation from a very young age.

As the son of two life members that gave more than two decades of yeoman service to both Medowie FC and the Hunter region, Matt can recall pulling on his first football boots at the age of four and kicking a ball around Yulong Park while his parents and fellow volunteers completed ground duties.

Now aged 39, the accomplished centre midfielder has continued a proud family tradition with meritorious achievements as a player and coach.

Alan and Gail Morris were doyens of the football code in Medowie and Newcastle – two long standing officials that devoted countless hours to grassroots and community soccer.

Both were life members of Medowie FC with Field Two at the club’s home base at Yulong Park named in their honour.

Gail served as club secretary and treasurer and for many years prepared the draw for Newcastle Football Association, where she was also bestowed with life membership.

Her memory is perpetuated each season with the Gail Morris Award – a trophy that recognises the recipient’s dedication to Newcastle Football and member clubs.

Alan juggled various roles for the Medowie club with stints as secretary, treasurer and as a leading coach of the junior and senior mens and womens teams.

The respected stalwart also carved a niche as a prominent referee – later gaining life membership of the Newcastle Football Referees Association.

Matt has compiled an impressive football dossier with the Bumblebees in his own right.

He played his junior soccer with the Medowie club and represented Newcastle-Port Stephens before establishing himself in the National Premier League with Hamilton Olympic, Adamstown Rosebuds, South Cardiff, Wallsend and Maitland.

Now the evergreen Morris is putting back into the code as a player-coach and is regarded as one of the finest mentors in the region.

He continues to play in the senior ranks with the club’s first grade and Over 35s teams and will line up for the latter this Friday night in an elimination final against Valentine at Gregory Park after losing a major semi penalty shoot out 5-3 against Toronto Stags.

As the Medowie club’s Head Coach, Matt has co-ordinated a successful development program that is reaping plenty of rewards.

His Under 15 Division 1 side are through to next week’s Grand Final after toppling Kotara South 3-2 while the Medowie Under 14s have also advanced to the Division 1 premiership decider after slamming Kahibah 3-0.

The Under 12s Division 1 team were beaten in a penalty shoot out with Charlestown but get another chance this Saturday to earn a Grand Final berth.

Soccer is a family affair in the Morris household with wife Ebony, the club’s tireless Assistant secretary, named Newcastle Football’s Volunteer of the Year in 2015 and sons Kayden and Tyson showing enormous potential.

Kayden is a talented goalkeeper for the high flying Under 15s while 17-year-old Tyson has shone in the midfield for the club’s reserve grade mens side.

Matt’s coaching prowess came to the fore in 2016 when named Newcastle Football’s Coach of the Year and recently when presented with the Northern NSW Coach of the Month Award for August.

By Chris KARAS