Football is slowly but surely coming back and that’s been music to North West Sydney Football Koalas star Nat Tobin’s ears following the ease of restrictions with Community Football set to recommence from the 1st of July.
With COVID-19 putting a halt to football activity in March earlier this year, Tobin was beaming after hitting the football pitch once more, training with her fellow Koala teammates.
“I was really happy to be returning to training to see all my friends again and regain a sense of normality.
“I found it odd though the fact that we didn’t know the timeline we were training towards to begin playing games.
“When it was announced that the competition could resume from July 1st onwards, I was so happy.
“I have really missed the competitiveness of playing.
“Training has been great so far. Our coach, Adam Keramea has put together really well-structured sessions.
“It has obviously been quite difficult to develop an engaging session due to the non-contact restrictions in place but I think Adam and the staff at NWS Koalas have done a great job and all the girls have been enjoying training.
“Everyone’s motivation levels are really high at the moment.”
The 23-year-old, like so many other footballers across the globe, felt a huge absence in their everyday lives when the game ceased temporarily, a feeling Tobin hopes to never feel again.
“It was really tough especially in its early stages when we were first told of the news that the competition was suspended.
“I missed that social interaction you get when attending training.
“I love that football allows me to see my friends at least four times a week.
“NWS Koalas has a very social culture about it as well and we tend to go to The Ranch Hotel after home games.
“I am excited to be getting back into that ritual too.
“I also missed the structured exercise. Sometimes I found it difficult to motivate myself to stay active.”
The former Sydney FC W-League star kept herself busy during the break work-wise which led to her role as a Disability Support Worker as well as an Occupational Therapist.
“During lockdown I was lucky enough to still be working 4-5 times a week in my job as a Disability Support Worker.
“I finished my University degree last year completing a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, so it also gave me the opportunity to search for jobs and prepare to enter the workforce as an OT.
“My work as a Disability Support Worker actually became busier than usual. I look after children with disabilities and as these children were accessing the respite service 24/7 rather than just around school hours, I was working more hours than I normally do.
“In terms of my new job as an Occupational Therapist, all our service delivery and support needs are currently being delivered via telehealth. We are hoping to return to delivering therapy on a face to face basis sooner rather than later.
“I still managed to fit in regular exercise, whether that was by myself, with my brothers or one on one with friends. I enjoyed life being a bit slower than normal and not having to race from one activity to another.”
Tobin struggled for free time during the break due to work commitments but did dabble in a bit of Netflix as well as giving Tik Tok a try.
“Honestly looking back, I am not sure how I really spent all my free time.
“I worked a lot and got through a lot of Netflix.
“I wouldn’t say I picked up any new hobbies although I attempted a few Tik Toks but that got embarrassing pretty quickly.”