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Jamba: “Football is one of those games that you can’t go without for a certain period”

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North Shore Mariners talented young gun Brian Jamba has remained positive in what has been a tough couple of weeks for the sport of football.

With the temporary suspension of football pushed to the 31st of May, Jamba has continued to go on with his day to day routines albeit with a twist.

“There’s no question that it’s been a very difficult time for not only the sports world, but all industries across the globe as well.

“Me personally, I am grateful that my family is well and keeping safe.

“The other positive I am thankful for is, I am also able to work from home (Account Manager at Proofpoint) which puts me in a better position than some of the others I feel for out there.

“It’s heartbreaking that some haven’t had the option of working from home at least.”

The Mariners under the watchful eye of Joe Haywood have put together a football program whereby Jamba and co have been following to a tee in keeping the players fit and well during this unfortunate break.

“Since the football lockdown I have been doing the football program that was set out by the club for all players.

“This consists of sprints, running, ball work and gym work.

“It’s important that we somehow keep the best possible shape because we don’t exactly know when we’ll be called back into action.

“I’m hoping very soon once it is safe to do so.”

Football is a way of life for Jamba as it is for many involved with the popular sport.

But it is what comes with our amazing game, the highs, the lows, the goals, the tackles, the tactics, the sportsmanship, the bonding of teammates and so much more that a footballer such as Jamba misses.

“I miss it all.

“Trainings, games, the boys the whole lot.

“Football is one of those games that you can’t go without for a certain period.

“That time is definitely overdue.”

“The fact that every single person in the world has somehow been affected by COVID-19 makes this a very serious matter.

“It is important for us all (NSW Football Community) to follow all the medical advice that is being given to help each other.

“It’s not a matter of one of us doing it, it must be all of us or else it doesn’t work.”

Maestro Parisi challenged by COVID-19 heartbreak

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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”.

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

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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 

McDonald: “The whole experience has been surreal”

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If there’s one thing Wollongong Wolves defender Taylor McDonald has understood more so these past few weeks since football went into lockdown mode is the huge appreciation he has given to the thousands of doctors, nurses alike fighting on the COVID-19 frontline across the nation – one in particular being fellow teammate Nick Littler and the others being both his sisters.

“The whole experience has been and continues to be so surreal.

“Both my sisters work in health care and emergency services as well as playing alongside Nick Littler who is in the front line working as a Respiratory RN in the public health system.

“I can now truly appreciate their tireless contributions and efforts to the community.

“If I have learnt anything from this experience so far it’s to appreciate everything and everyone around us.

“Some of us take the simplest of things for granted and as we have seen, these things can be taken in an instant.”

The Current National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership winner and NPL Champion has resisted hibernating and has hit up a tough fitness regime in a huge way.

“I actually cleaned out my garage when the news broke.

“I bought a home gym a few years back that’s now being put to good use.

“I get on the ball when I can, but just trying to keep ticking over for the time being.

“Since the football lockdown took place, I have spent quality time with family which is nice. I’ve also been doing the odd-job around the house and creating teaching programs for relatives who are home schooling their kids.”

Work wise, apart from football being suspended till May 31st, McDonald has still been on point with his teaching duties as a primary school teacher albeit finding it tough as students have found it hard to realise the situation the globe is currently in.

“Fortunately, both my girlfriend and I are Primary School Teachers.

“Attendance levels have been minimal.

“Younger students don’t fully comprehend the situation we are currently living in.

“They miss their friends, routines and social/sporting activities have been taken from them.

“Trying to educate the younger students on this pandemic has been extremely difficult.

“Kids don’t truly understand the situation we are in and feel confused which has been tough to deal with.”

The world game has been a sport that has kept the 23-year-old fit and healthy since he could walk and it was no secret that the absence of not being able to be around his teammates, playing on match day and fighting for three points has been sorely missed.

“I miss everything about our wonderful game that is why it’s the number one sport in the world.

“However, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I do miss the boys and camaraderie.

“When you see them more than your own family during the week, it’s a bit of a shock to the system.”

With constant government updates given on a daily basis by both Federal and State MP’s, the message of staying home and looking after yourself ensuring you are exercising social distancing has been paramount to the methods of stopping the COVID-19 spread.

McDonald took the opportunity to address the support that was needed by everyone in the football family to fight this as one in order of getting back to normality sooner rather than later.

“Firstly, you need to follow the guidelines that have been put in place.

“They are there solely to protect us.

“Most importantly, be kind and help one another.

“Support your club in whatever way that you can as well during this tough period.

“The survival of football clubs is dependent on the support of its stakeholders.

“If you are a fan, volunteer, coach, player, or parent, assist in whatever way you can.

“Every contribution counts.

“I have no doubt in the world, once this time has passed, we will be stronger than ever.

“I eagerly await the day when we can all go back to enjoying football and everything it has to offer again.”

Parkhouse: “Feels as though this is all a Nightmare”

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One of Sydney Olympic’s prized new recruits for the 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season Adam Parkhouse has described this current COVID-19 situation as a “nightmare” but has vowed to keep ticking over in these hard times.

“To be honest I still feel like it’s not really happening.

“I feel as though it’s a dream (nightmare) that I’m waiting to wake up from.

“Personally, not too much has changed for me apart from football being suspended so just a bit of extra free time each week which is making me a little stir crazy.”

The former Wellington Phoenix high-flyer is known by all of his peers as looking after his body and fitness and this has risen ten-fold since the lockout of the competition.

He has also had a little help from girlfriend and budding footballer Tia Gavin who has assisted in Parkhouse’s training routines.

“Well to begin with I took a little rest for a few days to let my body recover as preseason was fairly tough and pretty full on with games and I feel like I needed a bit of a refresh.

“Pretty much now I have been keeping fit and also spending time with my parents as they got back from holiday just before the COVID-19 issue began.

“Since football was suspended, I have been heading to the gym a lot to work on my strength but now with the gym closures, I’ve had to set up a little home gym to keep myself ticking over.

“Also my girlfriend is really into her fitness too, so doing some training together with her is fun and can give me some much needed company.”

Football has been Parkhouse’s main source of income ever since the start of the 2020 year, so this period has hurt the Olympic star without any matches being played thus far.

“Fortunately, I stopped working at Plus Fitness at the start of the year due to the gym being sold to a new owner and since then I have mainly been focused on football.

“Which means now I have a lot of time on my hands which can be good and bad I guess.”

The introduction of Terry Palapanis as new Olympic coach for the 2020 season brought with it a number of new faces at the club including Parkhouse.

Even though the league has only been three matches in, the winger stated that the team ‘banter’ was what he had missed most since going into self-isolation.

“Mainly being with the squad and the banter around the changing room is what I have missed.

“Also missing game days as they are what I look forward to most each week and an after match pizza which is a tradition I have is being sorely missed.”

Like everyone in the football family, ensuring everyone’s safety and health is on top of the priority list and something the Olympic star has pushed in his message to the NPL NSW fraternity.

“I think everyone just needs to stick together through this tough period.

“We are all in in the same position and no one knows what is going to happen.

“Just staying positive and helping out each other where we can, we can all beat this together.”

Parkhouse keeping himself sane by training on his own during the self-isolation period