Swibel: “It’s the routine I miss most about our beautiful game”

Fresh from getting some memorable game time with Sydney FC’s A-League outfit recently, the Sky Blues’ NPL rising star Jordi Swibel has put his career on hold temporarily but has kept a level head amidst the current COVID-19 crisis hitting our shores.

Sydney FC’s NPL NSW golden boy who took out an Ultra Football Goal of the Week award recently, has pulled out all stops in ensuring he stays fit, healthy and raring to go when the league hopefully resumes.

“It’s been a strange time as footballers we’re used to a routine, so to have that completely taken away from all of us is a big shock to the system.

“At Sydney FC, we have been training all the way up until the announcement of the suspension of the A-League, so the self-isolation is quite new to me.

“I’m still training on my own and am studying full-time at University, so I’ve still got plenty to occupy myself with.”

Swibel was fortunate that prior to the suspension of Football, he was training regularly with the Sky Blues’ senior team that has kept him on his toes.

“I was fortunate with this as I was able to train with the A-League side before official lockdown kicked in.

“I’m missing it already!

“At the moment I’m still doing my own training sessions at home and at the park to keep fit.

“I’m doing lots of Uni work as I’ve got so much free time which is really a blessing in disguise.

“Other than that, I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix, reading some good books, and playing PlayStation.

“I’ve got some weights at home which I’ve been using to maintain some strength, there’s also a synthetic pitch right across the road from my house so I’ve been doing some ball work and fitness sessions there too.”

Swibel is a full-time footballer with club’s senior squad and that has kept the former Hakoah junior ticking over during this rough period.

“I’m fortunate enough to be full-time with the A-League squad so I don’t have to work another job outside of football which I know a lot of other NPL players do and I take my hat off to them.”

The 20-year-old who is only just starting his journey as a professional footballer but hopes that the message of staying home by the Government is sinking in to all as the quicker this is actioned, the quicker he and tens of thousands of footballers are able to grace the football pitches across the nation and globe.

Swibel also stressed the importance of keeping healthy, mentally especially, in getting through these tough stages.

“Firstly, I hope everyone is safe and healthy.

“These are unprecedented times and we’re not sure how long this is going to last for, we are all missing football immensely but as long as everyone sticks to the self-isolation rules and listens to the advice provided by the Government and health experts we will be back playing sooner rather than later.

“I’d also like to say that if anyone is struggling mentally during this time, whether that’s through stress, anxiety or depression please let someone know.

“There is no health without mental health so if you feel like you need to talk to someone during this time, don’t hesitate.

“It could be a family member, a friend, a coach, a teammate or anyone you feel comfortable talking to.”

Football at the Swibel household is quite simply life as Jordi states that its match days that he misses the most.

“I miss playing on the weekends.

“Simple as that.

“Nothing beats game day and I know everyone in the football community misses it too.”

The grind never stops for Sydney FC young gun Jordi Swibel as shown in self-isolation mode