Blacktown City striker Leroy Jennings has used the COVID-19 break that’s halted football as an opportunity to up-skill himself in a number of interesting new hobbies he’s picked up.

“Yeah you could say that I’ve been doing a lot of boxing for fun and shooting a ton of hoops at a court down the road because I have been watching The Last Dance on Netflix every week.

“I’ve also been learning to play the piano and learning to speak Italian properly which I’ve been meaning to do for a while.”

“No doubt the pandemic has certainly been a real wake up call for me in the sense of just appreciating those simple things we take for granted like being able to play football, having a get together with your family and just hanging out with your mates.

“Spending a lot of quality time with my family which has been a blessing and the biggest positive out of all this would have to be the best thing to come out of this too. It’s obviously been tough to stay home for such a long time but having my family to make the most of it, has made it enjoyable.

“Even though I miss my football and my weekly routine, it’s been nice to slow life down a little bit and pick up on new hobbies.”

Not bad for the 22-year-old who is well cultured, born in Sydney and is half Italian and half Fijian/Tongan just to mix it up a bit.

Known to many as a ‘specimen’ by his fellow peers at Lily Homes Stadium, the former Fijian youth international has stayed true to keeping fit and sharp for the hopeful commencement of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season.

“It’s been real tough not being able to train or work but I’ve just tried to be creative with my time and training.

“I’ve been going for runs and using the equipment that I’ve got at home in my garage as much as possible.

“The hardest part is not knowing when the season and football will resume again so I’ve just made my workouts different and enjoyable so I don’t burn out and can stay motivated.”

Blacktown City were flying high prior to the abrupt break having recorded three wins from three games, the high-flyer is certainly missing the banter in the dressing sheds as well as needing to catch up to club captain Matt Lewis on the top goal scorers charts.

“I definitely miss competing and playing games with my team.

“We have such a great team chemistry at our club from the staff to the players and I just miss going out, putting my kit on and playing together for 3 points wherever we are.

“We did start off the season on a great note, I am just hoping we can continue on with it when the league recommences.

“To get to playing our game once more we need to keep positive, patient and keep abiding by the governments restrictions together as a community so we all can get back to normal life and our NPL Football as soon as possible.”

Lily Homes Stadium is home to one of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s finest defenders in Blacktown City’s Grant Lynch – a home he and everyone in the NPL cannot play at the moment due to this tough period of uncertainty.

“Your correct, it has been a time of uncertainty for everyone.

“I have been very fortunate my job is in healthcare so I am still able to work but outside of that I have been following all the recommended guidelines to limit the spread and like most people in this league doing as much individual training as I can.”

Known as one of the cult heroes at Blacktown City with an ever-expanding fan club, Lynch has been busily training keeping himself fit and healthy.

“Most of my time before this all happened was spent working or playing football and that hasn’t really changed only now the football has been replaced with running.

“My training has been mostly running and sprinting mixed in with some skipping and body weight exercises and then following the prescribed running that Blacktown City have given us.”

Work wise, Lynch has not been affected too much by COVID-19 and has continued to work at a private hospital for now.

“Yes I have continued working (for now) at a private hospital but am looking to help in the public sector in the next few weeks.”

The sportsmanship, camaraderie and playing the world game with his mates at a competitive level have been some of the aspects Lynch has missed.

“It sounds cliché but the thing I definitely miss most is the team.

“I’m lucky that I play with friends at a high level and the atmosphere in the change room is something that you cannot re-create or replace.

The Futsalroo international pleased the importance of obeying government orders during this down time with the hope of getting back to everyday life sooner rather than later.

“I think the most important thing right now is to understand that all the measures put in place are designed to help as many Australians as possible and to never take your health or your families health for granted.”

It’s been a whirlwind week for Blacktown City’s number one custodian Tristan Prendergast following the recent temporary suspension of all football across the nation due to COVID-19.

With no football scheduled till the 14th of April, Prendergast was met with some huge news that he was to be involved in Friday’s Sydney derby following the news that second choice keeper Vedran Janjetovic was ruled out through injury.

Prendergast will be play as the second choice keeper to Wanderers number one Daniel Lopar at Bankwest Stadium.

What makes this switch more intriguing is that  Prendergast was once a Sky Blue.

The in-form keeper has been on song with his club in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition as City have gone three from three victories prior to the suspension of the league.

Good luck to Tristan this evening.

Blacktown City skipper and stalwart Matt Lewis is poised to bring up the remarkable feat of 300 competitive matches for the club when they host Sutherland Sharks at Lily Holmes Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The 29-year-old is Blacktown through and through.

He played his grassroots football at Parklea Soccer Club before joining City at the age of ten.

Apart from a brief stint in the A-League with Central Coast Mariners, Blacktown is the only club that Lewis has represented and one “he wouldn’t change for the world.”

The left-footed midfielder earned his first-grade debut at the age of 17 on the 27^th January 2008, a game against APIA Leichhardt at Sydney Olympic Park that he recalls vividly.

“I came off the bench for literally about five minutes and someone absolutely smashed me with a two-footed challenge,” he recounted.

“It put me out for six weeks due to injury. After that injury I’ve touchwood been pretty lucky but that was a good welcome to first grade.”

Lewis’ 100^th game took place in a local affair with Blacktown Spartans on 18^th May 2013 and he brought up the double-century on the 19^th June 2016 in a home fixture against Parramatta FC.

His immense consistency has been down to several factors including his technical ability to play a number of positions and a fortunate injury record to date.

Lewis once put together a remarkable run of playing 91 consecutive league and cup games.

Not many can claim that they reached game number 300 with the single club and even fewer boast this feat before they reach the age of 30.

But Lewis has deservedly earned the honour through his willingness and capability to assist the team no matter what the assigned role.

“I’ve don’t think there’s been a year where I’ve stayed in the one position,” he said.

“I think probably the only position I haven’t played is right-back.

“Especially as I’ve gotten older I’ve slowly made my way back, but I’m not a very different player now to when I was younger.

“I’ve been lucky that Critto always felt comfortable putting me in different positions which obviously helps your chances of starting every week.”

There has been no shortage of change during Lewis’ time at the Blacktown.

Back when he was a fresh-faced teenager, Blacktown’s grass-turfed home ground was known as Gabbie Stadium, the club boasted the ‘Demons’ brand and their head coach was not yet long-serving boss Mark Crittenden, but rather the great Ken Schembri.

Results-wise Blacktown were not yet the juggernaut they have established in recent times: in 2008 they finished in 12^th.

“When I first started we were battling massively,” Lewis recalled.

“It was tough times around then and I was given my debut as the club started playing some of the younger boys. At that time I was just happy to be playing.

“I think since then we have come a long way and the owners and board are doing their best for the club. We’re just going onwards and upwards.”

In his 299 matches so far Lewis has registered a total of 26 goals for the club.

That allows him to see the humour in the fact that after two rounds of the 2020 campaign, the Blacktown captain currently leads the standings for the golden boot race.

“It’s been a bit of a laugh amongst the boys,” Lewis said.

“I don’t score goals let’s be honest, and honestly can’t remember the last goal I scored from open play.

“I’m happy to step up and take penalties but it’s been quite funny because the boys are stirring me up and saying I could win the golden boot this year.

“I obviously took a screenshot of the standings before Sunday’s game because I thought that will never ever happen again!”

While the golden boot may have never been on his radar, Lewis has won his fair share of silverware with Blacktown.

The period from 2014 to 2017 where the club won the Premiership, Championship, National Premier League and toppled A-League opposition on their way to the FFA Cup quarter finals, is one that Lewis “will never forget.”

He is also confident the club have assembled a talented and united squad capable of challenging for the title again in 2020.

“Even after losing a few players over the last couple of years at Blacktown the aim never changes,” Lewis claimed.

“No one’s ever just happy to come third or fourth, we want to aim high and realistically I think we can win it.

“When we won it in 2014 we had a fairly young team then and a lot of those boys have gone on to the A-League or doing very well elsewhere.

“We have a really good young team this year and I think they’ve all got a bright future ahead of them so like nothing says we can’t go on and win it.”

Upon reaching game number 300, Lewis would like to thank his inspirational coaches Mark Crittenden and Kenny Schembri as well as Luke Rudenberg, who he views as a role-model for him to emulate as captain.

He would also like to extend his gratitude to all of his teammates for the culture they have built and success they helped him enjoy.

Lewis is also thankful for the everlasting commitment of his parents who still attend all of his games, as well as his wife Eliza for putting up with him after every disappointing session or result.

Lewis and Mark Crittenden have enjoyed a close relationship over the years and the Blacktown coach praised his captain ahead of his milestone day.

“You can’t really express how good Matt has been for this football club,” Crittenden said.

“He is the ultimate professional, he brings the boys together, and always has been a winner.

“He knows the Blacktown City culture and is very big on trying to make sure all the young boys that come through are fully aware of that.

“At the end of the day, it’s been a pleasure as a football coach, a work colleague and a mate.

“I have nothing but the utmost respect for Matty and I hope things go really well for him on Sunday.”

Blacktown City will be proudly honouring Lewis prior to kick off in their round 3 clash against the Sutherland Sharks with local fans encouraged to attend what will be an eventful day for the proud club man.

By Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)