Football Family

The Wellsbury brothers have been immersed in the world of indoor social football their entire lives.

The speed, the sound, the passion. The banter, the rivalries. The community of colourful characters.

Growing up on the sidelines, Morgan and Caleb absorbed it all. They’ve never left.

Their introduction came through their dad Richie and his beloved team, The Bone Rangers FC, which has been playing for over 20 years.

Morgan and Caleb have fond childhood memories of cheering on their dad every Wednesday night, urging him to score a goal.

“But he never scored,” Caleb clarifies with a grin (and the cheekiness of a 16-year-old teasing his old man).

Richie’s love for the game – and for The Bone Rangers – passed down to the boys. Soon, supporting from the sidelines wasn’t enough, and the brothers were “begging dad to get on the court”.

Morgan and Caleb joined the team as soon as they were old enough, and then started refereeing as well, at just 13 years old. They couldn’t get enough.

“I was there for most of the night anyway watching, because I just enjoyed it that much, so I was like, I may as well get paid doing it,” Caleb says.

Like many of the young referees, it was their first part-time job, running matches in the busy league with 60 mixed teams and players aged from 13 to 70.

“I’m sure I have a few football tops older than a lot of the players in the league,” quips one veteran.

The brothers dove into their new roles and say the experience has left a lasting impression. They talk about the confidence they’ve gained, the friends they’ve made, and the life skills learned, particularly people and social skills.

“Customer service skills as well,” Morgan adds.

“The most important thing, I think, is being around people and talking to people,” the 19-year-old says.

“It’s a really good community and a good space.”

Richie says he’s seen his sons grow in confidence and learn about work ethic, the value of money, and the responsibility and commitment of having a job.

That’s always been a strong focus for Grant Webber, who mentors the team of young referees and runs the courts like clockwork at Mercury Baypark Arena.

The 71-year-old has decades of football experience and is passionate about both the sport and the development of young men and women.

He believes the social football league is the ideal training ground, and classroom, for new referees – and teenagers in general.

“This is real life,” Grant says.

He says the referees are learning about communication, body language and tone of voice. About the different behaviour patterns of adults. About mediation, decision making, and resilience. Real life situations, all out there on the court, in real time.

Not to mention the forever evolving rules of football.

“It’s giving them the confidence within themselves to speak up, to stand tall and to make those decisions and not be afraid to speak your mind,” Grant says.

The familiar faces in the league – people who return week after week, season after season, year after year – have watched Morgan and Caleb grow and seen their personal development.

Similar stories are found in many of the other teenage players and referees, several of whom also play alongside their parents.

“It’s more than just developing youth, it’s almost a family thing that we’re generating here,” Grant says.

Richie recognises the role that also plays in the big picture; the power of community and spending quality time with your kids. He doesn’t take it for granted.

No matter what’s going on at work and school, the Wellsbury boys rarely miss their Wednesday night football match together.

“It’s just really quite cool, for me anyway, to be playing football in the same team with the young fellas,” Richie says.

“It’s going to come to an end at some stage, so I’m just enjoying the moment. It’s pretty special to me.”

Social football and netball leagues are held at Mercury Baypark Arena throughout the year. To register, head to bayactive.co.nz