SYDNEY UNI STAR TAREN KING KEEPING UP-BEAT IN TESTING TIMES

One thing you can always count on, even in these trying times with no football being played is a smile from one of our National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s top stars in Sydney University Championship winning skipper Taren King.

The former Canberra United’s life has changed in more ways than one ever since COVID-19 attacked our very own world as we know it with King coming to terms with lifestyle changes to combat this virus wreaking havoc across the globe.

“Before the large entities in my life (like University and FFA/FNSW) made big decisions and changed how they operate for health reasons, I was easily spending 12-14 hours of every day outside of my home.

“I had commitments with University, training, coaching and two casual jobs.

“So to go from never being home, to always being home is a bit of a strange feeling if I’m honest.

“I haven’t been working at all unfortunately with the restrictions forcing the businesses where I work to close/require less staffing, which is a shame but it’s something I can understand considering the circumstances.”

The 23-year-old has dedicated her new free time to studying online which has kept her busy along with keeping fit conditioning wise ensuring the body and mind are ticking over.

Mental health has been a huge aspect King has managed to keep on top of especially with the lock-down and self-isolation laws in place.

“I’m currently studying online so that is keeping me busy. It honestly has been kind of nice to be able to devote all my attention to my study for probably the first time ever.

“The apartment I share with my younger brother Joel is probably the cleanest it’s ever been as well, which is more satisfying than I thought it would be (Laughs).

“Mentally, I think I’m coping pretty well, I’m keeping busy with schoolwork and I’ve had the motivation to complete a bunch of things that I’ve been putting off for a while.

“My partner and I have mastered the baking side of things with a mean banana bread so if bananas become a part of the grocery store restrictions you’ll know why.

“This time has provided a great opportunity to get up to date with my family and friends who are spread across the country and check in on those who mean so much.

“In terms of the football side of things, I’m pretty lucky in that both my partner and my brother play as well and are always keen to get down to the local field for a kick and to do some conditioning.

“So I’m keeping fit as best as I can with good moral support.

“We also purchased a couple of pieces of fitness equipment from Kmart a couple of weeks ago to maintain a bit of strength on the balcony. So we’re making do with what we’re capable of at the moment.

“Sydney Uni have provided us a bunch of different strength/conditioning programs to complete in hope that we may return to the season at some point, and we’re looking at doing some team bonding/wellbeing and game video sessions via group video chats.”

The proud University star, who has been one of the unsung heroes for her club in recent seasons, spoke candidly about her message to the Football NSW football family about beating this epidemic together.

“I think my message to the football community has a similar underlying messages to those who’ve spoken out previously.

“We all stood together and committed to fighting the fires that plagued Australia not too long ago. “Now it’s time to do the same against an opposition that this time we can’t physically see.

“But this time, for the safety of the world right now we’re not being asked to take action, we’re quite literally being asked to do nothing!

“For some of us more than others, it is going to be a big challenge, but we need to think of it as something we’re doing for the survival of our nearest and dearest.

“Don’t think of it so much as a danger to you individually, but how dangerous it will be to the people you love if they become infected and how heartbreaking it will feel if you pass the virus to one of your most vulnerable loved ones.

“We’re very lucky in Australia to have the luxury of being able to self-isolate, practice social distancing and stay home.

“So please don’t take this for granted.

“Be humble in your luxuries and do the right thing.

“Not too long ago we were all playing against each other for different teams.

“Now is the time we all get to play for the same one.

“Please stay home everybody and stay safe.”

Well said Taren, ‘King’ like words right there from one of our finest Women’s NPL stars.

-By Mark Stavroulakis, Football NSW

Taren’s brother providing us with some lighthearted comments during her sister’s conditioning exercises