GYM THAT JAKE BUILT
BELOVED Surfers Paradise Football Club member Jake Ryan (right) will have the club’s new gym named in his honour. Mr Ryan died after he was struck by a train while running in Noto, Italy in October. The inaugural Jake Ryan Day on March 6 is to raise money for the community gym.
MEMBERS of the Surfers Paradise Football Club will have a permanent reminder of a loved teammate with a new gym to be named in Jake Ryan’s honour.
Mr Ryan was struck by a train in a tragic accident while running in Noto, Italy on October 13. The driver of the train stopped and tried to revive the 39-year-old, who was wearing headphones on his run, but he died from his injuries.
The Bali bombing survivor played for the Surfers Paradise Aussie rules club from juniors to seniors. His contribution has already been acknowledged with life membership and a public plaque.
Board member Katrina Pridmore said the club would hold the inaugural Jake Ryan Day on March 6 to raise money for the new gym and keep Jake’s memory alive.
“Last year there were so many ideas thrown around, then it became a matter of getting a gym that honoured him,” Mrs Pridmore said. “The decision was made that it would be a community gym, so not just for the players.”
The gym will be unveiled under Mr Ryan’s name in 2022 when it is completed.
Players, officials and family of the football club have already been getting stuck into the renovations.
“The gym is not just relying on funds, there have been many people volunteering their time to help,” Mrs Pridmore said. “A plasterer is coming and donating his time to help.”
Surfers Paradise Colts coach Alistair Mitchell said Mr Ryan’s legacy at the club
was long lasting. “The most amazing thing about Jake was that he crossed over so many generations,” he said. “He prided himself on teaching the younger players, which is why the day of the fundraiser we are playing the Gold Coast Suns Academy in the Jake Ryan game.”
Surfers Paradise would put in an under-23s side to play the academy’s under-19s. This would be played before the fundraiser begins.
Mr Mitchell said he had spoken to Mitch Ryan, Jake’s younger brother, about the idea. “He said how honoured they are that the club is going to have a permanent reminder,” Mr Mitchell said.
Close friend and former
Surfers Paradise club president John Rankin said the gym fitted Mr Ryan’s personality perfectly.
“The significance of the gym was Jake’s obsession with keeping himself fit and healthy,” Mr Rankin said. “He trained religiously every day; a run and a workout.”
Senior Demons women’s player Chanel Fletcher, who has been playing for Surfers Paradise since 2018, always carries a reminder of the popular player.
“I wear the same number Jake used to wear too – he was one of the reasons I chose number 5,” she said.
Entry to the Jake Ryan day is $30 and includes finger food.