Johnny Warren’s legacy lives on

JOHNNY WARREN CLASSIC

The legacy of the late Johnny Warren will again be remembered tomorrow when the 5th annual Johnny Warren Golf and Bowls Classic is held at Jamberoo.

The event will attract the sporting and in particular soccer fraternity to raise funds for the Johnny Warren Football Foundation.

The Foundation’s program, which was first conducted 18 months ago, has to date, provided over 850 youngsters throughout New South Wales with expert tuition on skill and technique, as well as educating them on subjects ranging from nutrition and wellbeing to anti-drugs in sport.

In the next stage of their development, the most outstanding boys in the program will move into their respective state federation representative squad programs with a view to selection into the NSW Institute of Sport.

The best girls will gravitate towards the NSW Institute of Sport’s Emerging Athlete Program or be selected directly into the Institute’s main program for girls. Already a number of girls who attended the first two programs, or who were in this program, have already represented Australia at Under 17 level.

Unlike a number of other coaching courses, the Foundation’s coaching and development programs are provided completely free of charge to participants, including all costs associated with the final camp.

“We originally held the golf and bowls days to raise funds for the Sydney Cancer Foundation, but the is now raising funds to assist the Johnny Warren Football Foundation, which I am sure Johnny would have been very proud,” Ross Warren said.

The day will be a shot gun start at 8.30am and from there players will adjourn to the Jamberoo Pub for lunch and fellowship.

“Players already booked in include former Socceroos Adrian ‘Noddy’ Alston, Ron Lord, Ray Bartz, Johnny Watkiss, Brian Smith, Doug Wendt and Bill Henderson, while auction items will include a signed Newcastle Jets shirt and balls signed by the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC,” Ross added.

Nomination fee for the day is $80 and included course fees, lunch, some drinks and a souvenir cap and bookings can be made by phoning the Jamberoo Hotel on 4236 0270.