Pilani and Myles at a soccer practice Wednesday night

By Lisa Parent

Soccer sibling showdown on Saturday: Rattlers face off against Olds Broncos

Sep 7, 2023 | 4:53 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It’s a dream for many siblings to play sports together on the same team. One game this weekend in Medicine Hat will see two brothers playing for the same team, and a third brother on the opposition team.

Brothers Pilani and Myles Siwela are three years apart in age, spending most of their time growing up playing soccer together.

“It was really fun to be able to practice at home and then bring what we practiced at home onto the field together. We get that connection and that bond that brings us together and always keeps us fighting,” says Pilani.

Now, the two are playing on the same Rattlers soccer team. They both got into soccer because of their oldest brother Allan, who is now the head coach of the Olds Broncos soccer team.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

16h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

“It’s because of my brothers, they were always playing it, so I grew up watching them play and I fell in love with it. Ever since like five, four years old, I’ve been playing it,”says Myles.

Allan is also a Rattlers alumnus and former assistant coach with the Rattlers soccer team. On Saturday, the Rattlers will play Olds for the first time this season, with family coming to watch the big match.

“I think for me the coolest part is having to see my mother and my sister being able to be at the game to watch it, to watch my brothers play, and watch me coach as well. It’s one thing that I’ve always wanted to have,” says Allan.

The question is raised, who is their mom and sister going to cheer for?

Allan says, “you know, she’s got her two babies, the two youngest in the family so I’m sure her heart is going to be leaning that way a little bit more.”

“I don’t know who they’re cheering for. They say they’re going to cheer for both of us, but I guess we’ll see,” explains Pilani.

Either way, Pilani says he expects things to get serious as soon as the whistle blows on the field.

“Yeah, I know he’s (Allan) a super competitive guy as well. I’m sure he’s gonna bring his A-game when they come down here to play us. But we’re gonna bring ours too, so hopefully we can get the upper hand on him,” says Pilani.

When asked if Pilani and Myles were competitive with each other, Myles said “honestly, not really.”

Pilani contradicts, “No, I think he’s lying, I think he’s lying, we’re both fairly competitive. There’s lots of times where we get into it pretty hard and our mom has to calm us down, but it’s all love in the end.”

In last year’s matchups between the Broncos and Rattlers, one game was tied and the other was won by Olds. This years first game starts Saturday at 4pm at the Medicine Hat soccer field.