Newcastle Jets repay Reg’s charity

The Newcastle Jets held a golf day at Merewether Golf Course yesterday for the official launch of Reg Date’s biography raising important funds for Men of Football, a charity founded in the Hunter to support those past and present players in need of a helping hand.

Close to 150 attended the launch of Date’s long awaited biography ‘Reg Date: The Bradman of Football’ paying tribute to the life of the Hunter football legend widely regarded as Australia’s most prolific striker.

And who could argue?

Esteemed journalist and author Peter Allen has Date recorded at scoring 664 goals over 17 seasons with an astonishing average of just under 40 goals per season.

It is no wonder the man with the thunderous right foot was known as the ‘Bradman of football’.

While the robust centre forward’s on-field record speaks for itself, perhaps it is his presence off the park that is less well known.

Date was described by former team mate and Australian international goalkeeper Bill Henderson as a larger than life character that “looked out for his mates and never expected anything in return”.

Among the many anecdotes and rounds of applause it was clear just how revered ‘Datey’ really was, not only for unparalleled achievements on the park but for the mate-ship and humility off it, too.

The event was hosted by former Socceroo and Newcastle Jets’ Football Advisory Board member Ray Baartz and was joined by a host of other football luminaries, including Ray Lloyd, Ron Lord, Doug Wendt, Bill Mahoney, Keith Harris and David Lowe, as well as current Jets’ players Michael Bridges, Jobe Wheelhouse and Taylor Regan.

Jeff and Jamie Warren, relatives of the late Johnny Warren and founders of the Johnny Warren Football Foundation, made the trip up from Jamberoo to support what Jaime described as a “fantastic initiative” by the Jets and Men of Football.

The golfers were blessed with gorgeous warm Autumn weather, while many of them rediscovered their dormant competitive edge, with plenty of wit and warranted banter exchanged across the green.

The day was a magnificent success, the beaming smiles and constant buzz of chatter confirming the spirit and passion is strong amongst the Hunter football fraternity, on top of the thousands of dollars raised for the Men of Football charity.

The Jets have re-branded themselves as being ‘fueled by the community’ and have again confirmed their commitment to Nathan Tinkler’s vision.

The Newcastle Jets have put their front foot forward and cemented their support for Men of Football. Their aim is to aid in the process of achieving the charity’s ethos of ensuring that mates made through football will never walk alone.

Stay tuned to find out more about Men of Football in the coming weeks. In the meantime, take a look at the great work Jamie and the Warren family are doing with the Johnny Warren Football Foundation here.