By Kirstie Fitzgerald
Some footballers forge their reputation soaring above the pack like an eagle above the clouds.
Some are intoxicated with a passion for the game, charging after the ball like a bull to a red flag, clearing a path, no questions asked.
Others with silky skills and the precision of a surgeon, flick out a handball to a passing teammate, playing a brand of football all own their own.
One man who did all this and more was the great EJ Whitten, who 20 years ago, lost his battle with prostate cancer at the age of just 62.
In celebration of the loveable larrikin and his lasting imprint on our game, the WRFL will once again hold its dedicated EJ Whitten Round.
With one in nine men in Australia developing prostate cancer in their lifetime, the annual round will raise awareness into the disease which kills 3,330 men each year.
All senior players will wear blue tape on their arms to represent the colour of the Foundation and an EJ Whitten Medal will also be presented to one player from all senior teams in Round 11 who their coach deemed showed all the guts, skill and determination the great EJ was famous for.
Awarding the EJ Whitten Medals at the inaugural Maribyrnong Cup, Ted Whitten Junior says that it is dedicated rounds such as this, which makes such an impact on the local community.
“Men at the age of 50 should get regular health checkups, not just for prostate cancer, but for all general health issues.
“My father, like many other men in his generation, was uneducated in men’s health issues.
“However today, and throughout the life of the Foundation, we have created awareness programs to change men’s attitudes towards this and the WRFL’s dedicated round is a great platform to do this.
“Now more than ever, men are getting annual checkups and looking after their health so that they get to see their grandchildren grow up for many years to come, which unfortunately my father didn’t get the chance to do.”
Behind the showmanship and larger than life character Ted was well-known for, I’m sure he would be proud of what Ted Jnr and the work the Foundation has achieved over the last 20 years.
Not only has he turned his father's death into a positive by establishing the E.J. Whitten Foundation, but in doing so, has raised in excess of $8.5 million for prostate cancer research and men’s health awareness.
One major contributor to that awareness is the annual EJ Whitten Legends Game which will be held on Tuesday June 30 at Etihad Stadium.
More than 50 AFL greats will lace up the boots and take to the field once again in a state of origin clash between Victoria and the All Stars in honour of the great Mr. Football.
“The Legends Game was created from dad’s passion for state of origin football and now it its 20th year, it’s been phenomenal to see the idea grow to reach a crowd attendance of more than 25,000 people and a TV audience of more than a million.”
Embodying all that is great about our game-courage, skill, showmanship and a never dimming larrikinism, show your support for the great Ted Whitten and the EJ Whitten Foundation and head to the Legends Game on June 30.
Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster or at the gate, Family $48, Adults $18, concession/students $9.50, with children under six free. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS...
For more information on men’s health and prostate cancer, visit the Foundation’s website at www.ejwhittenfoundation.com.au.
Last Modified on 24/06/2015 13:50