Roodenburg family missing their football fix
He’s known to many in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s community as one of the King’s of Blacktown City, a legend that left a huge mark on his beloved club, Luke Roodenburg along with his two football crazed daughters are missing their football fix.
Even since retiring from NPL football, Roodenburg’s love for the game was far too great to give up completely which has since seen the 38-year-old continuing on with his passion for the world game playing for the Kenthurst Bushboys’ Premier League side in the Hills Football Association – while Luke’s two daughters, future Matildas stars in the making, Olivia and Sofia have also carried on with the family tradition by playing with the West Pennant Hills FC.
The family however, have seen a huge gap in what otherwise is a busy winter schedule filled with work, school and of course football. The latter not happening for now due to COVID-19 restrictions, but plans have been put in place to see our game return sooner rather than later.
“It has been a big adjustment for myself and my girls with the organised sport been put on hold, so COVID-19 has certainly impacted us in that way.
“I know we’ve been enjoying our time hanging out with the family trying to keep sane without our football, but we are missing it in a big way.
“I really get a massive kick out of watching my daughters play the game so that’s what I miss the most about it being temporarily suspended for now.
“I have to commend everyone involved from the government to Football NSW in keeping us all safe via these restrictions but I’m sure I’m like everyone else in saying I can’t wait to get back to normality and being able to train and play football on the weekends – It feels like its not that far away.”
Those who know Roodenburg well understand that hard work and determination is instilled in his DNA, something he has passed down towards his daughters – that and his high training ethic which has seen him implement training sessions for his daughters ensuring the family will be raring to go when the green light for playing grassroots football is given soon.
“With both girls playing football, we’ve been doing two sessions a week to keep them ticking over, they have both enjoyed getting the 1 on 1 attention (I think).
“As for me, I have been keeping fit by running with a few of the Blacktown City FC boys that work with me and if you are up early enough, you’d see me on my road bike.
“I am honestly really looking forward to getting back to having a kick myself with the Kenthurst Bushboys as soon as we are given the seal of approval that it’s safe to do so by the NSW Government and Football NSW.”
Away from football, Roodenburg runs a very successful Landscaping business, ‘Sand & Stone Landscapes’ with his wife Natalie along with some household NPL NSW Men’s players from the current Blacktown City senior side, skipper Matt Lewis, keeper Tristan Prendergast, midfielder William Mutch and rising young gun Adolph Koudakpo who now plays for Hills United all employed by the Blacktown City legend.
Asked whether COVID-19 has affected his business, Roodenburg replied to Football NSW.
“It has been business as usual for my Landscaping business, Sand & Stone Landscapes, we haven’t seen any effect on our business for now so keen to keep that momentum going.
“Correct on the players front, I have Matt, Tristan, William and Adolph on the books so there is plenty of football chat and banter during jobs which is great.
“This is a huge passion of mine, working with natural products such as sandstone, granite and hardwood – I take pride in being able to transform an outdoor space that is often unusable into something that is enjoyable to live in.”
Star studded Blacktown City lineup assisting in Luke Roodenburg’s Sand & Stone Landscapes company: Tristan Prendergast, Matt Lewis and William Mutch
During his Blacktown City glory days, Roodenburg gave his heart and soul for his beloved club
Roodenburg shown training his two promising young football Matildas stars in the making Olivia and Sofia
