Maestro Parisi challenged by COVID-19 heartbreak
APIA Leichhardt FC’s legendary star Franco Parisi has conquered and accomplished many things in his footballing life – He has won individual honours, Player of the Year awards, played in the A-League, played overseas, represented his country, but one thing the 37-year-old has never faced like everyone of us has been a delay to our beautiful game due to a pandemic crisis happening around the world namely COVID-19.
“You can say that again,” stated Parisi to Football NSW.
“Football is a huge passion of mine, so no football is a challenge both personally and professionally as it serves as an important part of my work-life balance I have been able to achieve for most of my life.
“Diet and sleep become even more important during such critical times.
“The focus at the moment has been going for a morning run/walk along with a strict diet and sleep with the suspension of football until the 31st of May.”
The wise head of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition has been fortunate that ever since football went into lockdown mode, the APIA maestro has been able to continue on with his work as he continues to run his family’s successful business as the Chief Operations Officer of one of this nation’s major suppliers of luxurious bathroom furniture, bath and doorware – fittingly named after his surname, PARISI.
“I have been blessed that even though football has stopped for now, I have been able to continue to work for my family run business.
“It has been ridiculously busy and has kept me ticking along thankfully.”
Parisi has managed to keep himself fit, albeit with various methods in ensuring he stays in shape for when the competition hopefully kicks off later in the year, but has also kept himself sane via working as well as winding down the ‘Franco way’ in these tough times.
“Correct, I have been maintaining my fitness through a number of activities I have undertaken personally via self-isolation.
“I have also focused on critical work-related activities and have had the opportunity to drink wine as part of unwinding,” ala like one of the Italian football greats Andrea Pirlo, whose love for wine has been well documented over the years.
The current NPL NSW Men’s Champions have formed a strong family unit at the club under the watchful eye of John Calleja for the last few seasons but stated to Football NSW that it’s the team camaraderie, the buzz on match day and that winning feeling he misses most about our amazing sport.
The cool head of Parisi was simple but poetic with his words of advice for the NPL NSW Football Family currently coming to terms with doing their bit in controlling this awful virus that has broken many hearts and minds.
“Show kindness and understanding to others.
“When “I” Is Replaced By “We” – Even Illness Becomes Wellness”.
