Brisbane Roar defender Jack Hingert has been enjoying every moment of being a new father with his newborn son Billy.
Hingert and his wife Symeon Leslie welcomed Billy, weighing 4.1kg, to the world on 11 November at Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
He came at the perfect time with the Isuzu UTE A-League team on holidays.
“He was born in that week off so I stayed with Sym at the hospital, didn’t have to go to training so the first few days were great because I got to be around Sym and Billy,” Hingert said.
“I could make sure the family was settled in, Billy was settled at home and Sym was comfortable.
“It’s been an amazing feeling, its a big change but a good one.”
Now back at training ahead of the Isuzu UTE A-League’s return from the World Cup break next week, Hingert has been getting used to balancing life as a new dad.
“I’m still getting used to the broken sleep but I’ve been pretty good with it in terms of sharing the load,” he said.
“I think we’re managing it quite well.
“Obviously most of the feeding is down to Sym at the moment, if I could help in that department I would try.”
With the World Cup on, Hingert has been getting around the late to early morning matches while tending to Billy so Symeon has time to rest.
“I know he doesn’t know what’s going on, but being able to share watching the World Cup with him has already been a good experience,” he said.
“It’s something I can tell him about when he gets older…it’s a bit of bonding for myself and Billy.”
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, the two-time Isuzu UTE A-League champion and Billy cheered on the Socceroos as they progressed into the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006.
Hingert admitted he’s had to do a bit of quiet cheering while watching Australia play especially when he’s trying to get Billy back to sleep.
“He’s pretty good with noise, there have only been a couple of times where I’ve been watching the Socceroos and get a bit excited and I’ve had to keep it down,” the Roar defender said.
“I’ve had to bite my tongue and try to stay calm, which has been tough but I’ve done pretty well so far.”
Hingert, who has played over 200 matches for the Brisbane Roar, hopes his son will one day follow in his footsteps in becoming a footballer.
“I would love him to play football,” the 32-year-old said.
“I hope he grows to love the game as I have but he’s a big boy so he might choose a different sport, who knows he could be a front-rower,” Hingert laughed.
While it’s a bit too early for Billy to be watching his dad from the stands, Hingert is looking forward to walking out on the field carrying Billy in the near future.
“Something I have thought about and wanted to do is to be able to walk out onto the field with my child,” he said.
“I’ve dreamt of being able to do it so he will definitely be making an appearance.”
Brisbane Roar takes on Adelaide United on Friday 9 December at Moreton Daily Stadium. Get your tickets here.
