One of the Central Coast Mariners’ top fans, Jake Banks, will be among an anticipated 3,000 outdoor enthusiasts taking part in the Bay to Bay Running Festival from Woy Woy to Gosford Waterfront on Sunday 15 June.
Above: Mariners supporter Jake Banks (front) with Admiral Frederick, Katie Keenan (Mariners), Jeff Dick (Bay to Bay Running Festival), Jesse Canning (Mariners), and Captain Yellowbeard
One of the Central Coast Mariners- top fans, Jake Banks, will be among an anticipated 3,000 outdoor enthusiasts taking part in the Bay to Bay Running Festival from Woy Woy to Gosford Waterfront on Sunday 15 June.
Jake, who has Cerebral Palsy, will take part in the Sea FM 12km Fun Run from Fisherman-s Wharf in Woy Woy, along the idyllic Brisbane Water coastline, past the home of the Mariners (Central Coast Stadium) and to the finish line at Gosford Sailing Club with the assistance of staff from the Mariners.
This year the Bay to Bay Running Festival is supporting the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, an organisation that provides family-centred therapies, life skills programs, equipment and support for people living with cerebral palsy and their families.
After learning of Jake-s amazing support of the Club, new Central Coast Mariners Membership, Ticketing and Events Assistant, Jesse Canning, thought it would be great to offer him the opportunity to get involved with the event.
“Jake has so much passion for the Club – it-s infectious,” Jesse said. “I know he-s a regular at our training sessions and our matches, so from the Club we wanted to provide him with the opportunity to do something that he might not otherwise have been able to do.”
“We were stoked that he loved the idea and was keen to get involved, and hopefully Jake-s participation in the Bay to Bay will inspire other people to sign up to this great event.”
Jake became a Mariners fan after the squad visited his school several years ago. Until then, he had no real interest in football, but became a supporter when he was spoken to by members of the team.
Jake is now known personally to every player in the Mariners squad, and even some of the Socceroos who he met while Australia-s national team were training on the Central Coast prior to their departure for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
To find out more information about the Bay to Bay Running Festival or to sign up, please visit BaytoBay.org.au.
