The sudden pause to the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s season due to COVID-19 meant that we missed out on seeing newly promoted APIA Leichhardt FC do their thing in what was a great recruitment drive for the 2020 year – both Princess Ibini-Isei and Deborah de la Harpe especially were itching for some Lambert Park action in making their APIA debuts.

“COVID-19 has affected most aspects of my life with work, studying, and football all put on hold in some ways,” said de la Harpe.

“It has been very bizarre not having the NPL NSW Women’s football season start, something I look forward to yearly, especially when it has been part of my routine for almost 10 years.”

Ibini echoed her fellow teammates thoughts.

“The virus pandemic has affected me personally as well as it has not allowed me to do the things I enjoy doing such as playing the game I ever so love and being able to hang out with my friends at a cafe or going to the movies.”

With the league suspended after two rounds, APIA, coached by Matthew Costantini, unfortunately saw its first two matches postponed due to teams having players committed to the W-League season which meant that the club has yet to record an official competition match for the 2020 season.

With that in mind and training’s as well as the closure of gyms all put on ice, both girls have continued to stay true to their fitness routines.

“I’ve continued my own training sessions during the lockdown trying to keep up with my normal routine as best as I can.

“It has been good going back to my local park and continuing on with my conditioning, ball training, and getting some home gym work in.

“Usually I drag along a sibling or friend to keep that competitive edge and work through drills as company.

“I think it has been a really good time to improve and perfect certain weaknesses in my game.

“APIA has been great though creating fitness programs for us and continuing team zoom sessions which have been good fun and has been great for all our mental health and well-being seeing how all my teammates are going,” said de la Harpe.

Ibini has mixed family time with fitness stating it’s been great spending time with her loved ones along with keeping herself fit and healthy.

“Since the football lockdown commenced, I’ve been enjoying spending time with my family.

“It’s been nice having everyone under the same roof as it has been a while since we’ve all been together as one.

“I have also been reading a lot which is something I don’t usually do because I don’t have the time to.

“I am fortunate enough to live across the road from a football field where I’m able to train whenever I want.

“I also have some gym equipment at my home which I have been using with my mum and brother to stay fit.”

The inner sanctum that is the dressing sheds is something both Young Matildas stars have missed along with playing the game they love with their fellow teammates with the dynamic duo hoping that the green light was only around the corner in getting everything back to normal once more.

“It’s tough to narrow down what I miss most but I honestly miss everything about our beautiful game.

“I miss the competition itself and of course my teammates – we’ve assembled a very competitive and motivating group of players in what is a fantastic environment and I cannot wait to get back to it.

“It is without a doubt a very frustrating time and everyone is itching to get back on the field.

“However, the more we continue to take the precautions and listen to safety measures the sooner we can get back out there.

“We need to continue to make the most of this time at home with family and continue to get the most out of your individual training and before you know we will be enjoying the sights and sounds of our league once more,” ended de la Harpe.

The banter was something high on Princess’ list she missed along with playing the world game.

“I cannot hide the fact that we have such a great squad full of personalities so I certainly miss playing the game as well as the great banter that comes along with it from my teammates to the coaches to the extended staff.

“To see that again though we need to keep following the guidelines that have been put in place as it is for our safety.

“I know everyone is missing football but we have to stay safe, practice social distancing so that we can hit up Lambert Park and other NPL NSW Women’s pitches very soon.”

 

 

 

 

 

She was tipped as one of the biggest signings in the National Premier Leagues NSW top tier Women’s competition, but alas her debut with the APIA Leichhardt side has been put on ice as former Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Ella Mastrantonio, like many footballers, waits on the side-lines due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Having been capped six times with the Matildas, Ella was one of the Wanderers’ shining lights in what was a huge year for the club reaching the finals series of the W-League this season.

APIA scooped on their prized signing and had her wearing her new colours at one of the final public gatherings at the club’s season launch but that’s been as far as she’s gone with her new teammates.

“It’s crazy what is happening at the moment and how far and wide this virus has affected so many people.

“The majority of the population, especially in football, the toughest aspect has been to stay indoors as footballers with no real training which has hurt.

“I have been trying to keep my mind busy with colouring in books and TV shows though.

“In the income department it’s been quite scary as I have no income coming in for who knows how long?

“I have even applied for Woolworths and heard nothing back so far because so many people are in the same boat as me.

“It’s a hard and scary time for many that’s for sure.”

Ella has however maintained her focus on staying fit and ready regardless of the obstacles our current climate is experiencing.

“I have been staying fit and moving as much as I possibly can.

“I’ve been doing runs up and down my street as there is a big hill in the middle of it which helps break out the sweat and have also been doing a lot of home workouts.

“I don’t have much equipment to work with so I am using anything I can from paint cans to chairs,  I do have a few spare cones that I have kept.”

The 28-year-old thinks the world of her beloved football and is waiting for the day to be able to continue on with playing her dream sport albeit with her new APIA colours.

“I miss everything about football, but what I miss most about it is the ability to train so you can improve yourself as an even better footballer than you were the day before.

“Being part of a team is also something special in our game.”

The former W-League star was to the point about the virus and issued the challenge to everyone to ‘Stay at home’.

“The most important thing is to stay home, literally.

“You could be carrying the sickness and wouldn’t even know and could pass it onto someone more vulnerable than you.

“Please stay home, the quicker everyone does the quicker we can all get back to normal lives.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.”

The new APIA star in full flight training solos hoping to make her debut at Lambert Park sometime this year 

Top tier women’s football makes its way to the historic Lambert Park in 2020.

APIA Leichhardt are the new girls on the block and they’ll look to make a bang in their first season in the top flight, much like Sydney Olympic did last season.

Confidence is high at APIA and they have no fear demonstrating their aims for the 2020 season and they are no less than attacking major silverware.

At the helm is Matthew Costantini having guided his side to the top flight last season.

“This year we’re expecting to compete for the championship.

“We’ve been very strategic in the players we have recruited and also kept the main core of the squad that helped us gain promotion last season.

“There’s a great belief at the club that we can create history this season and make it a special one.”

APIA won the NPL 2 competition last season but lost a very tight grand final to the Gladesville Ravens. Costantini identified his squads strengths moving into the top tier.

“One of our main strengths are we will be very well organised and tactically pre paired for every game we play in which should make us hard to beat.”

“It’s up to the rest of the comp to find out what our weaknesses are.”

APIA was set to play against Sydney Olympic in round one but that match has been postponed.

Major Singings: Liz Ralston, Alex Huynh, Ella Mastrantonio, Sophie Magus, Princess Ibini, Deborah-Anne De la Harpe, Tara Pender, Rhianna Pollicina, Julia De Angelis

Major Departures: N/A

Up and Coming Star: Deborah-Anne De La harpe

Player to Watch: Jen Bissett

By: Nikola Pozder, NPL NSW Women’s Writer