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Parker: From A Shack To Destiny
TS Galaxy forward Bernard Parker has opened up on his new book titled, From A Shack To Destiny and revealed how he has maintained longevity.
Parker joined the Rockets in August last year after his contract was not renewed at former club Kaizer Chiefs, where he had spent 11 years.
Read: Pirates Respond To Calls To Cancel Maccabi Clash Parker started his professional career in 2004 at Thanda Royal Zulu and had a two-and-half year spell overseas from 2009, notably for Serbian side Red Star Belgrade and Dutch side FC Twente before he was signed by Chiefs in 2011.
The 37-year-old also enjoyed an illustrious career at international level, where he is the second-highest all-time leading goal-scorer at Bafana Bafana, behind Benni McCarthy.
Parker says his journey has been difficult coming from an area of informal settlements and wants his book to inspire the next generation from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"The journey started at Reiger Park and later on just next to Reiger Park is informal settlements in Boksburg," Parker said on SABC News.
"There were difficulties I went through but through focus and resilience I achieved my dream. The book is about my dream and how I grew up, the development, my professional career and educating myself within the sport industry," he said.
The former Amakhosi striker says playing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and scoring against Spain in a friendly, are the two highlights from his Bafana career.
"Playing for Bafana, representing the county at the 2010 FIFA World Cup on home soil and the special one is where we played Spain, where after the 2010 World Cup they were the champions, came back and revisited, they had a friendly against us and Bernard Parker scored the only goal that won the match," he said.
Parker will be going into his 20th season in the 2023/24 campaign and revealed the secret behind his longevity.
"I'll be going into my 20th season in my professional career. It's an achievement on it's own. I'm looking forward to it and hopefully with the help of my teammates we can reach the top eight and compete for everything," he went on.
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"I go season by season. I don't look or calculate how far I can go. Through living in a moment I take care of my body, we will see where it will take me.
"Investing in the body is the best thing you can do. I also invested on education about my body as well since I obtained my personal training exercise science, sport nutrition (qualification). So I know what to do with the body and how the body behaves," he said, before adding that he also has interest in coaching.
"I've got a coaching qualification as well, last year during the World Cup I did my CAF C license."
Parker also revealed that the book has a foreword from Kaizer Chiefs chairman Dr. Kaizer Motaung and includes the likes of Benni McCarthy, former Chiefs stars Doctor Khumalo, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Willard Katsande, among others.
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