JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: EARLWOOD WANDERERS FC, KIAMA JUNIOR FOOTBALL & JOHNNY WARREN FOOTBALL FOUNDATION

The third annual “Johnny Warren Challenge 2014” exhibition match kicks off on Sat 13 Sep 2014  between Earlwood Wanderers FC and Kiama Junior FC at the Kiama Sports Complex, Kiama

Jamie Warren, Chair of the Johnny Warren Football Foundation (JWFF) and nephew of the late Johnny Warren will be at the annual community exhibition match to raise public awareness of about Johnny Warren and his national contribution to football (soccer) as well as strengthening historical links with Johnny Warren’s former Club, the Earlwood Wanderers Football Club, Johnny Warren Football Foundation in his name and Kiama Junior Football Club.

The Johnny Warren Challenge commences at the Kiama Sports Centre (also known as the Quarry) on Saturday 13 September 2014at 11.30am with two matches against two competitive Sydney Under 10 sides. Later on, all players will be invited for Lunch at the historic Jamberoo Pub which also hosts many artefacts and memorabillia about Johnny Warren’s life.

“The Kiama Junior Football Club is proud of co-hosting the exhibition match which has doubled in size since last year” said President Mike Ermin. “I am certain, The Earlwood Wanderers Under 10/3s, a mixed team of six boys and four girls are relishing the challenge of playing the Kiama Under 10 team for a third time in three years after two defeats in a row”

After both matches end, Jamie Warren, will address the Earlwood Wanderers FC and Kiama JFC players with a perspective of building greater connection and bonds with Johnny’s history and keeping his vision alive in football clubs around the country – that includes Earlwood Wanderers FC and Kiama Junior Football Club.

“It is an exciting day when your club (Earlwood Wanderers FC) and other teams can reconnect with Johnny Warren’s vision and his life-long commitment to football – the world game. Our Under 10/3s Team  have heard about their former Club player Johnny Warren but they are always in awe of the milestone’s Johnny achieved during his football and community life said Theo Fotopoulos, Earlwood Wanderers FC Under 10/3 Team Coach & Co-Founder/Organiser of the Johnny Warren Challenge exhibition match.

“In the future, it will be great to create community events and football matches that reconnect with Johnny Warren’s history, as well as avenues to heighten awareness all year round of the Johnny Warren Football Foundation (JWFF) whilst connecting with round ball communities such as Earlwood, Sydney and Kiama and the South Coast” said Jamie Warren, Co-Organiser/Founder, Chair of the Johnny Warren Football Foundation and who is also involved with Kiama Junior Football Club.

Apart from public awareness, both Clubs would like to strengthen bonds between them and help establish fundraising initiatives around the “Johnny Warren Challenge” that will benefit football in the way Johnny Warren would have envisaged it in his famous statement “I Told You So”

Thank you to all event partners, including Kiama Council, Kiama Junior Football Club, Johnny Warren Football Foundation, Warren Family, Jamie Warren and Earlwood Wanderers FC

Next Year: The 2015 Challenge is scheduled for Sat 12 Sep 2015, Kiama – Register your team via email theofotopoulos@optusnet.com.au or call Theo Fotopoulos on 0412 480 563

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About Kiama Junior Football Club

Established in 1975, Kiama Junior Football Club’s aim is to provide a safe and friendly atmosphere for children between the ages of 6 - 18 for the sole purpose of enjoying football and to learn new skills in a happy and healthy environment. 

https://websites.mygameday.app/club_info.cgi?client=1-6021-97756-0-0

About Johnny Warren Football Foundation

The foundation vision, purpose and its charter and goals ​are:

1. Vision

For Australians to embrace football as a pathway to community participation and a vehicle to engage with the world and understand the diversity and opportunities of global citizenry.

2. Johnny Warren Foundation Purpose

i. To be the peak philanthropic body of football in Australia.

ii. To celebrate Johnny's unique contribution and continue to promote his inspiring mission for football to be an enabler of personal growth, social equity, domestic opportunity and international understanding and engagement.

3. Foundation Charter and Goals

To be a passionate:

i. advocate and campaigner for Johnny Warren's vision to enrich Australia through the global vehicle of football.

ii. promoter of a football culture of excellence, inclusion and unity.

iii. champion of Australian football internationally and in particular in Asia.

iv. chronicler of the history of football in Australia and promoter of the heritage and legacy of all those who have contributed to the growth of the game.

v. strong, independent and authorative commentator on the state of the game in Australia, encouraging greater football literacy amongst all who are drawn to the game.

http://www.jwff.com.au

About Earlwood Wanderers FC

The Earlwood Wanderers Football Club established in 1946 and today has over 700 registered players, managers and coaches. The Club is located within Sydney’s Inner West has been the Club that a number of Australian football icons have started their football careers, including Johnny Warren, Johnny Watkiss, John Doyle and Peter Raskopoulos.

The Earlwood Wanderers FC Under 8/6s are mixed development team of beginners made up of six boys and five girls playing in the Inner West based Canterbury District Soccer Football Association.

http://www.earlwoodwanderersfc.com.au

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CONTACTS:

Michael Ermin

Kiama Junior FC President

0414 896 496

Email: cherylmike14@bigpond.com.au

Jamie Warren

Chair, Johnny Warren Football Foundation & JW Challenge Co-Founder/Organiser

Mobile: 0418 448 574

Email: jamie@jamberoopub.com.au

Theo Fotopoulos

Earlwood Wanderers FC Under 10/3 Team Coach, Contact & JW Challenge Co-Founder/Organiser

Mobile: 0412 480 563

Email: theofotopoulos@optusnet.com.au