This Sunday, for the seventh time, the Central Coast Mariners will trade Yellow & Navy for pink in support of women’s cancer research. The cause certainly isn’t lost on goalkeeper Ben Kennedy who is proud to show his support. Kick-off for our annual Pink Round is 5pm.
Shot-stopping in the Hyundai A-League isn’t for the faint hearted and Ben Kennedy has held that role for more than a decade now. But for him, life has thrown bigger battles his way with football acting as an escape.
The 31-year-old tragically lost his mother Karen in 2016 to breast cancer, a fight ‘BK’ fought by her side every step of the way.
During his time with the Newcastle Jets and now the Central Coast Mariners, Kennedy has always been the first to throw his weight behind any worthwhile initiatives that support women’s cancer research, prevention and support services.
Upon signing for the Mariners, ‘BK’ even revealed that the club’s Annual Pink Round played a role in his decision to join the club.
Are you brave enough to wear pink this Sunday? ?
For the seventh season running, we're trading Yellow & Navy for pink, in support of @CCNewSouthWales!
Mariners confirm Pink Round for this Sunday: https://t.co/woahopBQZv#CCMFC #CCMvADL #ALeague pic.twitter.com/IbEtM1abcC
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) October 29, 2018
On Sunday, the full Mariners squad will wear pink in a bid to raise funds and awareness for Cancer Council NSW – Central Coast.
Playing in Pink for ‘BK’s mum…
“Pink round is a massive thing,” Kennedy said. “You raise funds for women’s cancer which I’ve been affected by with my mum so seeing what the funds go towards and what they help is massive and it helps out so many people. I’m just happy to be a part of it and honoured that the club is involved.
“I lost mum to breast cancer, she was a real fighter, she ended up lasting four and a half years which doctors said after a year she only had a few weeks. She battled a long time and that’s the kind of thing you take out onto the field as well. It inspires you. You see people in worse situations than what we are on the field, everyone battles and that’s just what we want to do on the field, work hard and get the three points.
“Um, I guess every game I kinda do [think about his mum] in my own little way. This game is just a little bit extra special, seeing the boys in the pink jerseys will be nice. Yeah hopefully we get the win and celebrate for mum,” Kennedy said.
Cancer affects everyone, even professional athletes. Hear Ben Kennedy's heart-wrenching story. ? @FOXFOOTBALL #ALeague #CCMvMVC pic.twitter.com/juVKwGV7Lz
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) October 28, 2017
The Mariners have raised approx. $90 000 over the past seven years…
“Yeah obviously that’s a massive amount of money over the seven years. The club does a lot of things to help out, we wear the pink jerseys and auction them off after the game, they have bucket collections on the day. The club does a lot for the community and the cancer survivors, we want to get as many people there as we can and wearing pink and raise as much funds as we can.
Importance of getting check ups…
“It’s very important to get tests done. The sooner you find out the more likely you are to get it early. It’s massively important to get tests done and make sure you get the all clear or unfortunately if you have it then you can start fighting it as soon as possible.
Two games, two draws…
“Obviously two draws early on is great but the way the games played out it would have been nice to pick up a win maybe two,” Kennedy said. “But Adelaide this week, the boys are ready to go and want to get the three points.
“We’ve been working hard for two games and we feel a win is just around the corner, so it’s going to be a tough week of training but we will be prepared for Adelaide and we feel if we play our game then we will come away with the win.
“They’re obviously a good team, they are in the final of the cup tonight. We played them first round of the cup and they beat us 3-0 so they’ll be a good a side. In that you know what you’re gonna get from Adelaide, good quality all over the park so we know it’s gonna be a tough battle but we feel that we have just as much quality and we can bang in a couple of goals and get the win,” Kennedy said.
Two games in, Connor Pain is off and running with a goal and an assist to his name! ?? ? @FOXFOOTBALL #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/WICWkvNeHE
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) October 29, 2018
Match Details
Sunday, 4 October 2018
Hyundai A-League Round 3
Match: Central Coast Mariners vs. Adelaide United
Tickets: CLICK HERE
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS AUSTRALIA
Hash-tag: Join the match conversation using #CCMvADL & #CCMFC
