Sport

FROM BEING BULLIED TO FAN FAVORITE Jason wrestling his way to the top

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

WESTERN SYDNEY’S Jason Isaac has come a long way since he was a seven-year-old dreaming of one day becoming a professional wrestler.

He was severely bullied in high school as he was overweight during those diffi cult years and this eventually led to his career in the ring. He regularly competes ion Blacktown.

“The only things that interested me and that were my outlet away from this cruel world were both wrestling and drumming,” he recalled this week.

“I never fi t in with other guys and never felt comfortable doing any sports.”

But Jason stuck with it and once he completed the HSC in 2008 a whole new world opened up.

“I fi nished school and I starting drumming and learning to DJ in the wedding industry. I was also determined to train and lose weight after what I went through,” he said.

“I ended up losing more than 25kg by doing CrossFit training at Revolution X in Merrylands. They gave me a good food plan that consisted of all three macronutrients - protein, carbs and fats.”

He admits he was confused and angry “for so many years”. “ I felt stuck and I hit a wall at the end of 2013 after losing my grandparents.

“I told myself that in 2014, things are changing for the better and I’m going to be doing things that make me feel good and that I love to keep me happy. I was no longer pleasing others, just myself.

‘So, I Googled music colleges to do a music degree and also Googled wrestling schools in Sydney. I ended up applying and auditioning for JMC Academy and I was successful in this so I started my music journey there.”

Jason completed his two-year degree, then ended up getting an opportunity to go on tour with X Factor top three fi nalists caller Brothers 3, drumming around the east coast.

Another opportunity

And this led to another opportunity with another top three fi nalist from The Voice called Fasika.

“I was her drummer and DJ and I also had the opportunity to drum at the Tamworth Country Music Festival which has thousands of people in attendance.”

Jason searched and found a company that had a school called the Australian Wrestling Federation (AWF).

He started off with a one week ‘dream camp’, that led to multiple classes over two years.

“So from 2014 I trained wrestling and by 2016, I made my debut with AWF as my DJ name, ‘Djaysonic’. “My particular style is high-fl ying. I’ve been with them ever since and I’ve won tag team titles, a heavyweight title and I’m currently the newly crowned Australasian Heavyweight Champ.”

This new career has given Jason the chance to travel around Australia to compete..

“Recently I was also ranked top seven in Australia by a very well and respected globally recognised company called Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI), so to have this happen is an amazing achievement for me personally.

“I’ve wrestled for some of Australia's most reputable companies, quickly becoming a fan favorite. My future prospects are to continue climbing to the top of the charts and ‘high-fl y’ around the globe including, hopefully, the U.S.A.”

Jason wants to get the whole world “jumping to the sound of my beats: my theme song is pretty catchy”. Away from the fans and the spotlight Jason enjoys nothing better than family life with his wife and eight month old baby.

Australia Picking Up

There was also a time when wrestling was a major TV sport in Australia and Jason believes it is bouncing back.

“The Australian scene has picked up and we’ve been recognised by WWE for the last half dozen years. We’ve had a number of our guys signed to the big companies like WWE.

“That’s awesome to see, especially as it includes some friends I trained with.”

“You can see wrestling at AWF and a new company called Elite Wrestling Australia (EWA), who on our fi rst show hit an outstanding 530 plus people.

“We generally only get around 150 on average at shows, so this was amazing to experience. The next venue and show for EWA is to be announced but we’re fi nding a venue to hold more than 1000 people.”

Being a ‘high-fl yer and DJ’, Jason resonates with the young kids in the audience.

“They love my LED mask that I walk out with in my entrance. So, I always get kids coming up to me for photos and to buy my merchandise. I’ve had so many awesome fans over the years and I still do.”

Jason Isaac has come a long way.

They follow Jason from show to show and keep up to date via his social media platforms, mainly on Instagram at: @jasonisaacofficial and @djaysonic

NOTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF ABORIGINAL INTERESTS

Biosis is undertaking an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for 51 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood, New South Wales, within the Blacktown Local Government Area on behalf of EMKC3: Pawan Lala (0488 587 333, Pawan.Lala@emkc3.com) The project will be assessed as State Significant Development under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. In accordance with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents 2010 (DECCW 2010). Biosis invites Aboriginal people who hold cultural knowledge in determining the significance of Aboriginal object(s) and/or places in the vicinity of the above area to register their interest in a process of community consultation.

The purpose of Aboriginal community consultation is to provide sufficient information for the assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage values, and to assist the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in their consideration and determination of the application. For more information or to register in writing, please contact

Anthea Vella (avella@biosis.com.au, 14/17-27 Power Avenue, Alexandria, 0427 463 834)

Please note that the name of each group that registers for consultation on this project will be provided to Heritage NSW, Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Local Aboriginal Land Council unless the group specifies that they do not want their details released.

REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED TO 5PM, 22 APRIL 2022 REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE 5PM, 11 APRIL 2022

PHOTOS: Supplied by Jordon Ovington Workers NSW Cup side in action.

TOO STRONG FOR FIJIAN SIDE

Young Workers team hits form

BLACKTOWN Workers Sea Eagles have made a good start to the Ron Massey Cup with two wins in their first matches of the season.

The Sea Eagles convincingly beat a quality Ryde Eastwood Hawks team at TG Millner Field 30-16.

The Ron Massey Cup team started the season with a big win over the Kaiviti Silktails 38-28 in a thrilling high scoring match at HE Laybutt Sporting Complex.

Kenny Soumpholphakdy scored a clever double and winger Bailey King and the hard charging Bailey Cantrill joined the try scoring feast before the break.

After leading 28-0 at halftime, the Silktails scored two tries, but Bailey King raced over again to put the win beyond doubt.

The win follows a disappointing opening 24-4 loss to Penrith Panthers by the NSW Cup team. The team had a bye in the second round and lost 30-0 to the Bulldogs on Monday evening.

Kyle Flanagan opened proceedings for the Bulldogs with a perfectly weighted kick for Jake Averillo to latch on to and score. Averillo cut through again and set up a try for Jacob Kiraz in the corner.

Bulldogs led 18-0 at halftime and went on to win convincingly, maintaining their unbeaten run.

BLACKTOWN CITY TO HOST SYDNEY UNITED Solid test for our boys

 BOB TURNER

FORMER NSL Giants, Sydney United 58 FC, comes to Blacktown City Sports Centre on Sunday, April 3 to kick off a critical month for Blacktown City FC.

Suff ering their fi rst loss of the early season on Saturday, March 26 to Apia Leichhardt, Sydney United will be a solid test for Blacktown in round fi ve of the competition that is sure to be one of the best games of the season.

This contest will feature two of the powerhouse teams in the Major Football NSW Men’s NPL1 competition and both coming off their fi rst losses in week four.

Blacktown City FC travelled to Lambert Park, Leichhardt to take on Apia Leichhardt. The visitors came into the match with only one training session in ten days, following their home game against Marconi being postponed due to nine COVID cases that ripped through the Blacktown City players and coaches.

This game has now been rescheduled to play on Wednesday, April 13 at Blacktown City Sports Centre (formerly Lily Homes Stadium)

Early signs were evident that Mark Crittenden’s squad were a little out of touch after missing their Round 3 encounter. Blacktown did start to settle and had a number of goal opportunities that went astray.

APIA Leichhardt took the lead and scored the only goal of the game in the 79th minute, taking home all three points after holding on for a 1-0 victory, thanks to a Jack Armson goal.

The victory helps build confi dence and momentum for APIA Leichhardt, but Blacktown City were desperately unlucky not to have secured a point from the encounter as there was certainly not much splitting between both sides.

Blacktown City’s coach Mark Crittenden said that he was disappointed to have come away empty handed.

“They had a free kick and a couple of corners and that’s all they had on goal,” said Coach Crittenden.

“I am really proud of my team because we only had one decent training session in two weeks as we got hit fairly hard with COVID.

“I am really proud of what we did on the park against a very good side. We played the full 90 minutes even though we were not very healthy, and I am really proud of the eff ort,” he added. “

Need to be at their best

“Next week we have Sydney United 58 and that won’t be any easier, so we have had a pretty tough start but that’s the league and the run today will do us the world of good,” Crittenden SAID.

Sydney United suff ered their fi rst loss of the season last week at the hands of the Northbridge Bulls.

For Northbridge, it was their fi rst win of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season with a convincing 4-2 victory over Sydney United 58 at Sydney United Sports Centre.

The Bulls entered Round 4 of the competition without a single point, up against a strongly fancied Sydney United 58 side at Edensor Park, but a second-half Rory Jordan hat-trick and a strike from the impressive Jed Drew saw the youngsters complete a four-goal haul.

Two goals to United 58’s Chris Payne were not enough to keep them in the game as their strong start to the season fell away.

Blacktown City have maintained the impressive line-up that they’re known for under Crittenden, adding some extra talent through returning attack Mitchell Mallia, new import Hiroaki Aoyama and youngsters Jordan Smyley and Alex Robinson, who has impressed in the goals as a replacement for talented ‘keeper Tristan Prendergast who underwent surgery ahead of the season.

The entire squad will need to be at their best to get the points against an equally talented Sydney United.

A key to Blacktown City is the depth and development of young talent. 17-yearold Goalkeeper Alex Robinson is a great example. Blacktown’s Under 20 team is yet to lose a game with three wins and a draw after the fi rst four rounds.

Head of Football, Mark Crittenden, is always looking to his youth program to step up and fi ll spots in the senior side.

Blacktown City FC not only led the 2021 NPL 1 Men’s Competition after 17 rounds but the success of the Under 20 men had Blacktown City in line for the Club Championship as well.

Blacktown City FC Senior women continue to struggle to pick up wins in their fi rst year of competition.

Head of Women’s football, David O’Keefe, is steadily building his side with a long-term view as his side comes up against more polished opposition.

Goalkeeper, Kiara Rochaix, has been a standout and has shown her class in protecting the nets. The women take on Northbridge this Sunday at Northbridge oval.

April will host three home games at Blacktown City Sports Centre for Blacktown City FC Senior Men:

Sunday – April 3rd VS Sydney United 58 FC – Game time 3pm

Wednesday – April 13th VS Marconi – Game time 7:30pm

Sunday, April 17th VS Sydney FC – Game time 3pm