AFTER ending their 31-year premiership drought in 2019, Chris Price and his Wollongong Wolves were ready to reach new heights in the National Premier League this season.
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But following a win and loss to open the 2020 campaign, the season for the Milton-Ulladulla product's side was quickly derailed by the coronavirus pandemic - which has seen all football action in NSW postponed since March.
"It was very weird, as it all came to an abrupt halt so quickly," Price said.
"Ever since the announcement, we've been in limbo, not knowing what's going to happen with our season.
"Especially with a senior competition like ours with contracts and sponsorships, a lot has to be put back into place with finances before we can return to the field - junior competitions are lucky in that regard and should resume when it's safe to do so.
"It's a bit of a grey area but I know people are working each and every day to try and get us back on the field - even if there are so many unknowns right now."
To ensure he's ready to hit the ground when the season resumes, 33-year-old Price has been working hard at home in isolation.
"The Wolves club has been really proactive with training methods during this lockdown," he said.
"We run optional Zoom sessions every afternoon for core and strength conditioning, which allows us to still have that social interaction with one another.
"On top of that, the club's conditioning staff has sent us all fitness programs, which has been me do a lot of running and ball work at my local park and backyard.
"No one is sitting around idle waiting for the season to start back up, despite us naturally losing some sharpness in our game.
"We all put in the hard work during a gruelling pre-season and were shaping up for a massive season this year, so I don't think anyone has found it hard to stay motivated.
"Being my age and one of the older statesman of the team, there have been benefits to this enforced break.
"Obviously I've had a chance to refresh the body and get it right.
"Being older, I also know my body better and pay more attention to details in training - listening to my body about how to get the best out of it.
"I'm confident I'll be where I need to be physically and mentally when we are called back in."
On top of staying busy with his football training, Price, a year three teacher at Shellharbour's Stella Maris Catholic Primary School, has been balancing his day job as an educator.
"Teaching the past few weeks has definitely been a challenge but one I've enjoyed," he said.
"I've still been going into the school most days to provide an online learning platform for my kids - it's quite a different method but to their credit, most of the parents and kids have adjusted really well.
"Next week, it'll get even trickier, as kids return one day a week - we are in a rapidly evolving environment that will have numerous benefits moving forward.
"Obviously some students have missed out on that crucial face to face teaching but on the flip side, it's given parents a chance to invest more in their kids' learning and get a greater understanding on the concepts.
"I know it's been hard on numerous individuals but there is a silver lining to this tough situation."
That silver lining the St John the Evangelist Catholic High School alumnus alludes to is also applicable to everyday life too.
"This whole pandemic has put things into perspective," the Shoalhaven District Football Association junior said.
"Football is obviously a game we all love but in times like these, it plays second-fiddle to the health of you and your family.
"We can't be greedy and put people's livelihoods at risk, just to get back on the field - there's plenty of boxes we need to tick as a community before we get to that point.
"We've been thrown a massive curveball - something we've never experienced before - but the best way for us to get through this is to roll with the punches together and come out the other side stronger.
"If we do adapt, we will have a far greater appreciation of what we had and how special playing sport can be."
Looking forward, Price, who's played 13 years at the Wolves, acknowledges the club, which also features Shoalhaven Heads' Brendan Low, are headed back in the direction - which he hopes eventually ends in the club gaining entry into the A-League.
"Last season was a really positive one for the club - we enjoyed a huge amount of success while playing an exciting brand of football," the left-back said.
"With coach Luke Wilshere's creditability and other wonderful individuals inside the club having the same vision, I can't see why the A-League is out of the question.
"The club has a huge amount of history and large supporter base, as well as the infrastructure in place, such as WIN Stadium, to accommodate a team.
"It's what the people of Wollongong deserve and everyone at the club isn't going to rest until that goal is achieved.
"I know I'm going to continue to give my all and chase those young whipper-snappers around for as long as I can, because you're a long time retired.
"I'm excited to see what the future holds for the Wolves."