WAGGA couple Walter and Leanne Tregea usually have one clear rule for conversation at the breakfast table - no talking soccer.
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As the respective coaches of the Mt Austin High and Kooringal High soccer teams, the husband and wife make a point of not letting slip any "trade secrets", particu;arly ahead of a clash of the two schools in an important competition today.
In a continuation of a remarkable family rivalry, Leanne and Walter will be in opposite coach's boxes for a first round Creed Cup tie at Gissing Oval at 7pm.
Named to honour Jim Creed, the Creed Cup is soccer's equivalent of the Hardy Shield for rugby league and the Carroll Cup for Australian football in Wagga.
And, unsurprisingly, Leanne and Walter are determined their teams will come out on top.
A teacher at Kooringal High, Leanne yesterday made it clear family bragging rights were definitely on the line tonight.
"The whole rivalry thing has been quite amazing for us," Leanne said.
"There's a lot at stake on the game."
As spirited sporting adversaries, Leanne and Walter made soccer a taboo subject at home, rather than give their opponent an edge.
"We try to avoid talking about it (soccer)," she said.
"Neither of us want to give away trade secrets."
For Leanne, tonight's game will be a chance to go two victories up on her husband this year.
Several months ago Kooringal High upstaged Mt Austin High in another competition, but Leanne knows Walter will be keen for revenge.
"We did beat them (Mt Austin High) earlier," she said.
"It was our (Kooringal High) first win over Mt Austin in three years.
'They're (Mt Austin) a really good team, and we don't take them for granted."
Likewise, Walter expects tonight's game to be a tight contest.
Recalling the loss to Leanne's team in a CHS playoff, Walter said a more settled training routine may help to swing the verdict.
"We went down 3-1 or 3-2, but we had a few different players," Walter said.
"The team might gel better (tonight).
"It would be nice to get a win."
Goalkeeper Nathan Cooke will be key player for Mt Austin High tonight.
Cooke, who was injured and missed the previous loss to Kooringal, plays first grade for Wagga Tigers in the Riverina Football League, but is also adept at soccer.
Jayden Beattie and Jake Ploenges are other guns in the high-calibre Mt Austin High team.
Beattie and Ploenges boast high representative honours and play first grade with Football Wagga clubs.
Three games are on the Creed Cup schedule today, with the opener between Mater Dei Catholic College and The Riverina Anglican College at 4.30pm.
Mt Austin High has been runner-up in the Creed Cup for the past two years.
Creed Cup
At Gissing Oval
4.30pm: Mater Dei Catholic College v TRAC
5.45pm: Wagga High v Kildare Catholic College
7pm: Mt Austin High v Kooringal High