Owusu: “It’s made me really sad”

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Former English football star and ex-Hakoah Sydney City East, Rydalmere FC and Stanmore Hawks attacker Lloyd Owusu is worried.

The Cranbrook School’s General Duties Master and First Team Head Football coach has been keeping his eyes fixed on his home nation of England as well as his new backyard in Sydney, Australia ever since the COVID-19 virus shed its ugly head a few weeks ago.

With family back in his hometown of Slough as well as here in Sydney, Owusu checks in on a daily basis with his loved ones ensuring their keeping themselves fit and healthy.

“This whole COVID-19 issue has made me really sad to be fair, especially when you see how it’s affected not just your own backyard, but the whole world.

“I feel anxious with being so far from other family members in the UK and hoping that they’re keeping safe.

The Brentford great has been one of the lucky ones keeping himself occupied as a teacher and football coach in the education system at one of Sydney’s finest schools.

“Luckily for myself, I’m in the education work-space so I’ve been going into school for a few hours a day looking out for a few students that have been on campus and also working on some online content for the boys.

“Just to keep my boys ticking over during this break, I have been filming online coaching content to ensure the lads are keeping themselves fit and conditioned as well as getting their mental health space in check.”

The former big burly striker too has been on the front foot with his own training regime and has also stepped it up a notch ever since he quit playing the round ball game.

“Ever since I stopped playing a few years ago, I’ve been a bit slack with my own general fitness.

“However, in recent weeks, I’ve been catching up with a friend of mine and we’ve been doing the Coogee stairs run. Wow it’s been a killer.”

The 43-year-old understands more than most the feelings and emotions the absence of the world game has affected him since he gave the game up as a player.

“Football is all I’ve ever known, so even from going to watch my son play, to seeing the boys at Rydalmere, I miss the whole spirit of what football does.

“It brings people, where you can have a laugh and catch jokes together.”

Owusu stood by what so many in our football family have promoted in fighting against the COVID-19 spread.

“My message would be, abide by all the rules and regulations that the government have put in place and to really stick to them.

“Also, use your own common sense by keeping indoors and safe, and not going out for just the need to want to go out.”

Former NPL NSW star Lloyd Owusu shown going through one of his many online coaching videos for his Cranbrook Schools football teams during COVID-19