The Edward siblings are happy to follow their parents' football footprint. 

The children of Desmond Edward and Lynette Edward are all playing football for the Lepea Football Club, eyeing higher honours and emulating their parents feat.

Desmond is a household name in Samoan football, with his dazzling footwork and the ability to score goals. He had played for many national and international teams, including the Manu Samoa Sevens. 

Today, Desmond is the Technical Development Manager for West Side at the Samoa Football Federation, with his wife, Lynette Edward, also playing a key role.

The eldest of their children, Adenet Edward, told Samoa Observer that they are excited and happy as they are playing the sports their parents love.

“I started playing soccer when I was only 11 years old," she said, smiling. "My parents introduced me to soccer as it was also the sport they played when they were my age. It is also the sports that my parents first met at."

Having their parents’ guide her and teach how the sport is played, she feels blessed. 

Then her siblings came along and they are all enjoying football.

“When my siblings were born, we all grew up to love soccer. Now our skills are improving and for me, soccer is my God-given talent and it is my passion,” Adenet said.

“I have no problem with the game, I am injury-free. It makes me happy when I’m playing."

“The hard part is contesting with my opponent for the ball; my fitness level is not really where it should be. I played in the full-back and a striker for our U17 Girls team."

Her two younger brothers, Tuimareko Edward and Isaac Edward were amongst the players who won the Golden Boots award for the U8 and U12. Golden Boots award is awarded to the players who scored the most points.

"For me, they both need more work on their fitness and kicking skills,” said Adenet.

“From my own perspective, Tui is really fast and he also plays striker so he makes all the scores for their team. The same goes for Isaac, but Isaac is not that fast like Tui. They both have great skills and can play around with the ball."

Out of the six siblings playing football, only Adenet has made it to a national team. She is also the only girl in the family.

“I am the only one who has made national teams, which was Samoa’s U16 that was set to leave for Tahiti last year, but it got canceled because of measles,” she said.

One of their siblings has another sport that he is currently engaged in, but for the other five, they are only playing soccer.

“Most of my siblings play soccer only except for Isaac who also plays cricket for the school and the village too. He is the only one who has another sport different from soccer,” she said.

There are eight of the Edward siblings, and only the only two who do not play football are the youngest one, their almost-two-year-old brother, and their few weeks old baby brother.

“There’s me, Dominic, Ethelbert, Isaac, Tuimareko, Richmond who all play soccer and there’s Diego, and our baby who is a few weeks old that does not play because they are too young,” she said.

She advises the young kids who are keen to play but scared of not having a certain idea of what football is all about to just get out and play soccer.

 “If you don’t know how to play soccer, but someone invites you to come to play, I advise you to come to play. You will learn how to kick the ball, the skills, and the techniques in no time and I’m telling you, you will be better at it. And always stay hydrated,” she said.