KING WALLY SUPPORTS BEARS’ NRL BID

31st October 2009 | Central Coast Bears Media Release | PDF Media Release | Back to Central Coast Bears Page

QLD rugby league legend and immortal Wally Lewis has given the Bears’ 2013 NRL bid a massive boost during a recent visit to the Central Coast.

‘The King’ was in Terrigal in October to meet with an enthusiastic rugby league community and to promote his autobiography ‘Out of the Shadows’, at a function organised by Dymocks, Erina Fair.

The event, held at the Reef Restaurant, attracted over 100 guests including Greg Florimo and CC Bears Bid Director Perry Lopez, NSW Shadow Special Minister of State Chris Hartcher and (major sponsor) Mortgage House CEO Ken Sayer. Also in attendance was Liberal Candidate for the Entrance, Chris Spence, NSW Business Chamber of Commerce Central Coast Regional Manager Mary Doherty and Terrigal Chamber of Commerce President Darren Jameson.

King Wally captivated the audience with his much publicised battle with epilepsy but also threw his support squarely behind the Bears, which was a coup for the Bid Committee.

“I’m not just saying this because I’m in Bear’s territory, but speak to 95% of the public who have loved league all their lives and they’ll say the secret to success is always relying on the real individuals and also the organisations that create the history of the game, and the Bears are certainly an important part of that.”

The King also told the VIP audience that if the Bears could get into the NRL, the club would have a positive impact on the growth of the game.

Lewis also wished Florimo and rated the former Australian and NSW star as one of the two hardest five eights he had played against. “The other bloke that was as hard as [Florimo] was Olsen Filipaina.” The Kiwi ace also played for the Bears in the 1980s.

The modest Florimo suggested the King overstated his playing ability but confirmed he was looking forward to sharing the return of the Central Coast Bears with the Queensland league legend.

“We would love to see in three years time Wally Lewis at Blue Tongue stadium to support the Central Coast Bears,” Florimo said.

Thanks to Kylie Venner, franchise owner of Dymocks Erina for hosting the event and to NBN sports reporter Steve Allan for his excellent work behind the microphone as the master of ceremonies.

For more information about the Central Coast Bears and the 2013 bid, visit www.centralcoastbears.com.au.