Menu
Menu

National Premier Leagues NSW Men's 1

Home of the Men's National Premier League NSW

Powell: “I miss the banter, changerooms, smiles and more”

By

It was never meant to be this way for returning National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s star and former Golden Boot award winner Blake Powell after his time in the A-League and playing overseas, signing for the Sutherland Sharks only to see his season stall.

Like everyone else across the globe, COVID-19 has had major impacts on the everyday lives whether it be their health, work and life in general has changed drastically.

For Powell, the power of playing the game he loves has left a huge absence in his day to day routine.

“Personally, it has taken away football from me for now which is devastating.

“Football has been a massive part of my life and without being around that team environment four times a week makes it feel very strange.

“I am just taking all the precautionary measures to make sure my family and I remain safe.

“It’s very sad to see just how many people’s lives have been affected.

“I am feeling very grateful that I still have a job to go to.”

Powell has been fortunate that his job with major electricity distribution company AUSGRID has continued amidst the postponement of the NPL NSW Men’s competition thus far.

“As I said, I am forever grateful that I still have a job to go to as it still gives me the opportunity to provide for my family as well as keeps my routine in check.

“I know that since the football lockdown I have been trying to self-isolate as best as possible whilst keeping up with my training schedule.”

The Sutherland born attacker, who was given the honour of skippering the squad for the 2020 season, like so many teams, is following a rigorous training program set by the club.

“We have been given home fitness and football programs to keep us in check during this tough period which has been very helpful.

“I have also been able to transform my garage into a makeshift gym for strength sessions so that’s been good in terms of changing things around as well as setting up drills in my backyard.”

The 28-year-old stated that the absence of not being with his teammates has been a huge loss as well as missing the banter that is always healthy at the Shire based club.

“For sure the main thing I do miss is just being around the boys in the changeroom that is full of quality banter.

“Just hearing the jokes, laughs and seeing everyone smile is a loss.

“Not training with them and not being able to put hard work with them all towards our objectives of winning matches is also another aspect I miss about not being able to play.”

Powell believes that people’s self-discipline with what is happening is what will get us through this tough period.

“My message to the football family is I want everyone to remain calm and to practice social distancing and good hygiene because if we all play our part, we can limit the spread of this disease and be back playing the game we all love a lot sooner.”

Powell utilising what he has in his backyard keeping himself fit and healthy

The NPL NSW Men’s star tackling COVID-19 head on

By

You may know him as one of the most fiercest defenders in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition having played for the likes of the Sutherland Sharks and now Wollongong Wolves, but now tough tackling Nick Littler is fighting a different kind of battle away from the football pitch and that’s being at the frontline battling COVID-19 as a registered nurse at the St George Hospital.

Littler is one of over 100,000 registered nurses in NSW currently working around the clock at the St George Hospital in the respiratory ward which has transformed to the COVID-19 ward.

“This COVID-19 virus has definitely affected me personally.

“As mentioned, I am a registered nurse and have been for the last six years.

“I am currently at St George Hospital and I am working in the newly created COVID-19 ward dealing with patients suffering with the illness and respiratory issues.”

Football has taken a back seat since the sport amongst many others suspended activity, but the 28-year-old has been on the go assisting people in desperate need of survival.

“Since the football lockdown I have been working (and stressing) about COVID-19.

“It’s been non-stop, I mean at time’s it’s difficult not knowing how bad the day will be but I’m just so thankful that I am still able to work and hopefully make a difference to all the people out there suffering from COVID-19 and to also provide for my family.”

Th fear of catching it himself has of course crossed the Wolves star’s mind but high level monitoring has assured he has kept it at bay.

“Yeah 100% I know of think with the amount of people getting it and how quickly its spreading, it’s kind of inevitable that I will get it.

“Obviously we do everything in our power not to but definitely there is always that fear there.”

Littler, amidst all the chaos, has managed to fit in some fitness time around his very hectic schedule keeping the body fit and the mind sane along with spending time with his lovely young family.

“For obvious reasons it’s not been easy to stay fit apart from being run off my feet at work.

“I’ve been doing some running just to keep ticking over while the NPL season is on hold.

“I also get some time to run around and kick a ball in the backyard with my daughter.

“Spending some really nice quality time with my wife Britt and my 2 kids Isla, she’s 3 and Henry who is 8 months has also been amazing.”

You could forgive Littler for not thinking about football too much but the ‘big man’ who was one of the key players that steered the Wolves to Premiership and NPL Glory in 2019 knows that the absence of football has been evident in more ways than one.

“I’ll tell you what I miss most about our game, winning.

“Coming off our season last year and winning like we did.

“I miss being able to do that every weekend.

“Also the banter in the team, we have a great bunch of lads and I’m actually missing not seeing them 4-5 times a week.”

Asked what his message was to the NPL NSW Football family regarding taking safety measures to minimise the spread, Littler did not mince his words.

“We have to do what’s been asked of us, social distancing and staying at home are the 2 most important things that someone can do at the moment.

“I’ve seen how bad this virus can be and the last thing I want to see is more people dying from it.

“So I want to stress how vital it is that those who can stay at home! Please!”

On behalf of the football family, Nick you are a real hero, keep fighting the fight we all applaud you.

Lynch keeping busy in lockdown period

By

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.”

Hardman Petkovski down but not out

By

Rockdale Ilinden’s inspirational skipper Daniel Petkovski has made no secret about his personal struggle with COVID-19 locking down almost everything in society but has remained up-beat on keeping himself fit and healthy to continue the charge in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition when it kicks off once more.

The proud lllinden clubman stated that the club under new manager Steve Zoric had a great 2020 preseason but this unforeseen interruption has certainly hit the squad.

“I won’t lie, this has affected me mentally more than anything.

“We had such a great preseason and worked extremely hard to get to where we are at.

“We started our NPL NSW Men’s season very promising as well.

“For it to be taken away from us so suddenly really hurt me, my teammates and of course the whole of football.”

Asked what he missed most about our beautiful game, Petkovski replied.

“Training with the boys and going into battle with them every single week against our respective opponents is what I really miss most.”

Petkovski has been busy, like so many other footballers in the same boat, training on his own.

“I’ve continued to train on my own and that’s consisted of running at my local park as well as doing plenty of laps in my pool which has kept me in shape.”

Away from football, Petkovski is a kindergarten teacher and luckily for him, his job has not been affected as much as so many others who have been put in an unfortunate situation.

“I am lucky at the moment my job hasn’t been affected as of yet as I work at a public school.

“There will obviously be down time but that gives us more opportunity to spend time with loved ones as well as keeping fit and healthy.”

Petkovski had a simple message to the NPL NSW public about staying safe and staying at home.

“We are all dying for the football to come back, however our priority is to keep healthy and safe, make sure we are doing the right things to avoid the virus spreading and supporting one another through this tough period.

“Stay calm, stay at home and keep a positive mindset.”

Petkovski shown keeping himself fit and training at his local park

Thompson remains upbeat amidst lock-down procedures

By

You may have seen Blake Thompson running around Popondetta Park with the Mount Druitt Town Rangers for the last couple of years, or maybe on previous channel 7 episodes of the Proposal, the swashbuckling stopper has not doubt pulled all stops in ensuring he keeps up his fitness during this COVID-19 crisis.

Thompson was fortunate that he was able to make it back to the Gold Coast to see his family prior to the borders shutting in Queensland.

“It’s been pretty full on having my family on the Gold Coast including my 93-year-old grandmother who is living there and not knowing if I was able to fly back and be with them.

“Luckily I was able to pack a small bag and get one of the last domestic flights available to be with them.

“We are pretty much in shutdown mode apart from doing the essentials, but I have been ticking over fitness wise.”

Asked what his training routine has consisted of up in the ‘Goldie’, Thompson stated to Football NSW.

“I have been doing my own training daily, that includes going for runs, doing work on the pitch and finding ways to keep my strength up since the gyms have been shut-down.”

Thompson has also credited his girlfriend Bec Williams who has assisted in training alongside him keeping him fit and raring to go.

“My girlfriend has become quite handy in the fact that I have her assist with some workouts when I’m in and around the house.”

Work wise, football is Thompson’s main source of income but that hasn’t dampened the tough tackling defender’s spirits.

“Well I am quite lucky in the fact that football is my main source of work but at the same time now it’s really tough mentally at times as I am not doing that or playing any games.

“We will get through this tough period though I am confident of that.”

With restrictions coming in from everywhere from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the message was clear that the safety of every citizen was on top of the list.

“We have to respect the current situation and follow all guidelines that are being outlined by the government, as frustrating as it is for us in the football world for both players and fans we have a bigger situation on our hands and at this time we need to focus on keeping our family healthy and safe.”

Football bonds everyone together and there’s nothing better than playing with your mates, especially in this case, at NPL level with the Rangers boys which is what Thompson has missed very much since the lockdown.

“It might sound a bit cliché but I miss all of it, the training, playing games and being competitive and the mental stimulation I get from this beautiful game.

“We will be back better than ever you can be sure of that but until then, be safe, healthy and keep smiling.”

Blake showing off what he is up in the clips below in keeping himself fit on the pitch as well as having his girlfriend Bec assist with various tasks keeping it fun as well as serious.