Jamberoo Pub's Jamie Warren (centre) with organiser of the 10th Johnny Warren Classic, Chris Joyson (left), and Shane Gallagher, who will be playing in the over-45s at the 16th Johnny Warren Memorial Cup. Picture: DYLAN ROBINSON
JAMBEROO'S big sports weekend starts on Friday with the running of the 16th Annual Johnny Warren Memorial Cup and Johnny Warren Bike Classic.
Both events have been named in honour of former Socceroos captain, Johnny Warren, who died in November 2004 after a long and brave battle with cancer.
Mr Warren's nephew and event organiser Jamie Warren said the cup was a weekend of fun, football and entertainment.
"It is a fantastic social opportunity to catch up with old football acquaintances, experience the ambience and atmosphere of the historic Jamberoo area and lend support to the Johnny Warren Football Foundation in the process," he said.
The event, to be held on Friday and Saturday, runs from 8.30pm and ends at midnight on day one. It resumes on Saturday morning and finishes about 4pm, to be followed by a presentation in the beer garden of Jamberoo Pub.
"An over-45 competition has been added to the regular over-35s this year to cater for the players who have been playing in the 35s competition since its inception and who are tired of chasing the 'young guys' around," Warren added.
"A large slice of the registration fee will be donated to the Johnny Warren Football Foundation in memory of Johnny, who was a long-time supporter of this fantastic tournament."
Sunday will mark the 10th annual Johnny Warren Jamberoo Bike Classic.
It started with humble beginnings in 2003 when SBS sports presenter Michael Tomalaris gathered a group of riders to film a segment for the SBS Cycling Central show.
The segment focused on the joys of cycling at a social level, riding in a group situation and enjoying the sights and camaraderie along the way.
Jamberoo was nominated as the finishing point because the SBS crew were friends with fellow SBS commentator Warren, whose family own the historic Jamberoo Pub - and it seemed a fitting place to unwind after 100 kilometres of riding.
"In the minds of those who took part in the inaugural ride was Johnny welcoming the small group of 25 riders and he made the effort, despite fighting cancer at the time," Jamie Warren said.
"As a tribute, Tomalaris decided to name the event after Johnny - hence the Johnny Warren Jamberoo Classic was born, and numbers have steadily grown in the ensuing years.
"In 2012, more than 500 riders lined up for the start in the southern Sydney suburb of Loftus and more than $30,000 was raised for the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse at RPA."
Cycling superstars such as Commonwealth Games champion Ben Kersten, world record downhill skier Michael Milton and Olympian Rochelle Gilmore have all taken part during the years.
The Chris O'Brien Lifehouse at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital was where Mr Warren was treated until his death.