Featured Thursday – Jake Coles!

What club do you play for or coach?

I play for Nottinghamshire Sheriffs.

How did you discover goalball?

I discovered goalball when I went to New College Worcester. I had previously been a keen sportsman but when I lost my sight, I thought that I wouldn’t be able to play sports again. Then I encountered goalball and immediately loved it and I have never turned back.

Is there a particular song, artist or genre that you listen to before a tournament to get in the mood? Or anything you’re loving at the moment?

My taste in music is quite a niche! I love progressive metal, and a band called Dream Theater, so any song by them really. I also love a bit of Fatboy Slim – ‘Right Here Right Now’ – to get me in the mood.

Do you have any pre-game superstitions or rituals?

I like to make sure that my pads are in place and love a good warm-up. Then a bellow of “Come on Sheriffs” and I’m usually about ready to go!

Do you have a favourite post-match meal?

I know that this goes against any form of healthy eating but after any tournament, I and my teammates like to go to the nearest fast-food restaurant available, so for me, it has to be a Chicken Royale from Burger King.

Which goalball player do you admire the most and why?

After watching the most recent European Championships on YouTube, I have great admiration for Joe Roper. I love how great he is defensively and, as a centre myself, I aspire to be as good as him one day.

Outside of goalball, what other hobbies/sports do you do?

I like keeping active. I love going to the gym and walking with my guide dog Jeffers.

Finally, what place, anywhere in the world, is on your bucket list to visit and why?

I love a good beach holiday so anywhere with a bright white beach will do me perfectly – Greece, Bali, the Maldives, the Canary Islands, etc. The list is endless really but I must admit I’m a little bit of a romantic, so I would love to go to Paris at some point as well.