NIGEL Boogaard is in the backyard of his Charlestown home when he answers the phone, two-year-old daughter Audrey wrapped around one leg. Second daughter Olivia, 1, is on the deck soaking up some sun.
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Behind her is a spin cycle and a kettle bell, toys providing an obstacle course in between.
Fortunately, there is ample room for the Jets captain to have a ball at his feet and work on skills.
It's a long way from the Newcastle Jets' normal training environment.
Like most in the professional sporting sphere, Boogaard and his teammates are doing what they can to tick over amid the COVID-19 crisis - at least until April 22.
That is the date when Football Federation Australia makes a call on whether the A-League will resume.
"It is a challenge and definitely a different working environment when you have kids in your face," Boogaard said of his part-time training base. "Mine are still too young, you can't sit them at a desk to do their home work or watch TV. It is a matter of trying to fit training in before the kids get up or late at night."
Inside, Boogaard's wife Kerryn is busy tending to her company Wholesome Collective.
COVID-19 has not only impacted sports people.
"I have turned into her Wholesome Collective IT guy," Boogaard said half joking. "Kerryn is a nutritionist and holds workshops and classes in the community. The majority of her work was face to face. It is moving to on-line platforms. I am trying to help her with the IT side of it. I have been helping with recording and getting everything set up."
At age 33 and with 253 A-League games in the bank, Boogaard is closer to the end of his career than the start.
Off contract, the centreback hopes to play for at least another season. His form is certainly worthy of an extension.
The proud Novocastrian has also started preparing for life after football and has been working part-time for Hunter-based business 35 Latitude Property Development for the past 18 months.
Boogaard studied residential drafting and building construction when playing for Adelaide and has been overseeing building projects.
Since one of the Jets tested positive to COVID-19, Boogaard has been self isolating as a precaution.
"It makes my job a lot harder, being a project manager, and not being on site to inspect things," he said. "We have very good contractors on site who keep me up to date. There is enough paperwork and other things to do in the meantime to keep me going.
"First and foremost is still football and training. That is the priority in the hope we get called back soon."
Prior to the Jets player testing positive, Boogaard and his family had adopted strict hygiene and social distancing protocols.
"We took it pretty serious," Boogaard said. "Kerryn and the kids were self isolating before we went to Adelaide. We were two weeks ahead of everyone else."
Boogaard admits he misses the team environment and competitive outlet that training provides.
"[Strength and conditioning coach] Brice Johnson has been great in keeping in touch with everyone," Boogaard said. "He has been doing the ring around to see how boys are travelling, their mental state and if there needs to be any adjustments to programs.
"As far as the boys, we are trying to simplify it as much as possible and keep their minds on staying fit and spending time with family. When the time comes and decisions are made, we act on it then."
