Coricas’ family bond

Uncle Steve keeps close eye on rising star

STEVE Corica is focused on putting together his first ever A-League roster for Sydney FC but the former Innisfail midfielder still has the time to keep an eye on nephew Harry Corica and his rapid development with Cairns FC.

The Corica name is synonymous with football in the Far North as the teenager is in the process of working through the ranks like his famous uncle

did all those years ago.

Harry has been a spark from the Cairns FC bench this season, hitting the back of the net in the club’s drubbing of Redlands United FC last start.

Steve, 45, will step up after serving a seven-year Sydney ap-

prenticeship in the coming ALeague season. He says, through his brother Michael, Harry often reaches out to the former Socceroo as a sounding board.

“Harry is passionate about it and wants to become a footballer,” Steve said.

“He was coming from the bench and I told him if he wants to become a starter he needs to score goals and create and he has done that the last few

weeks. Harry has his own pathway to follow, he is not going to follow mine, there is always expectations with the name and you can’t expect Harry to be something he is not.

“He is himself and he has the drive and the passion.”

Harry only recently turned 17 and Cairns FC coach Danny Graystone yesterday afternoon revealed the tyro was on the verge of returning to his start-

ing line-up against Brisbane City FC tonight from 6.30pm for the first time in months.

“He has been making an impact from the bench for us and we are 90 per cent sure he will start against Brisbane City,” he said.

“Harry has trained well this week and is ready to go.”

Steve believes his nephew will need to eventually move from the Far North to chase his

professional footballing dreams.

“He can’t stay up there for the rest of his life if he wants to be a footballer,” Steve said.

“It is about timing, when to do it and what club to go to.

“He could look at options down here or maybe overseas.”

Cairns FC is in seventh on the NPL table, three points behind tonight’s opponents.

On his first foray into managing an A-League club, Steve says it is a busy time, scouting players around the world, but is enjoying the opportunity.