I have beautifully connected my father’s ‘attack-mode’ philosophy on the ping-pong table to my mother’s ‘adventure-mode’ philosophy in traveling across the world. It paints a picture of a family that doesn’t just play it safe, which is the ultimate mindset for a professional athlete heading into a knockout stage…
The Champion’s Mindset: From a Ping-Pong Table in Turkey to the Round of 16 in Bangkok
Our journey in the Asian Champions League 2 (ACL2) has been a thrilling ride so far. After a dominant group stage campaign with Macarthur Bulls, securing four wins out of six, we waited with bated breath for the December draw.
The result: a Round of 16 clash against Bangkok United. We head to Thailand for the first leg on 12 February 2026, before returning to Sydney to settle the score at Campbelltown Sports Stadium a week later. However, as I prepare for this knockout stage, I find myself reflecting on two people who defined my competitive spirit long before I stepped onto this pitch.
My Father’s ‘Professional Wisdom’
A few years ago, I travelled to Turkey with my parents. It was a golden time; they had just become grandparents, and we were basking in that family joy. One afternoon, I challenged my father to a game of table tennis.
I knew he wouldn’t go easy on me. True to form, he was in constant attack mode. Whether it was his serve or his powerful forehand, he played with total aggression. I, on the other hand, played it safe. I focused on precision and consistent returns, waiting for him to make a mistake.
At one point, my father parried a shot with such flair that he actually performed a full backward roll to reach a return…at over 60 years-old! He popped right back onto his feet. In the end, I won the set, but my father had the much larger grin.
“You lost, didn’t you?” I asked, confused by his smile.
His response stuck with me: “First of all, I had a blast. Second, I made a proactive choice to attack. The fact that a few balls landed in the net? I couldn’t have cared less.”
He taught me that it is better to hit the net while swinging than to never take the shot at all. Play to win; don’t play ‘not to lose’.
Knock-Out Stage with Mum: A Long-Distance Motivation
That same spirit of adventure is alive and well in my mother. Shortly after the ACL2 draw was announced, she shared some incredible news: she is flying in from Switzerland to support me and the Bulls in person.
Seeing her determination to travel across the globe in her late 70s is nothing short of inspiring. She isn’t just ‘staying stable’ at home; she’s taking the shot. She’ll be joined in the stands by my cousin, Herbert, who has lived in Thailand for nine years, and my boyhood friend, Rudi.
Having them all together at the True BG Stadium will be a powerful moment. Following our stops in Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Beijing, the road now leads to Bangkok. After several months apart, the anticipation of seeing my mother again has given me a massive surge of motivation.
The Lesson
From a seasoned father to a new father, and from a mother who knows no borders, the message is clear: have courage, take the shot, leave nothing on the table. Live.
We’re ready for the knockout stage. Let’s make it one to remember 🐂⚽️