Johnny Warren graduate Ben Kantarovski selected for Socceroos

Precocious 17 year old Ben Kantarovski of Newcastle Jets, a graduate of the Johnny Warren Football Foundation Program, was named in a 24 man squad for Australia?s Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait on March 5^th.
Kantarovski?s impressive performances in the A-League this season had already have earned him selection to the Australian Under-20 (Young Socceroos) squad, where he played a key role in the team?s qualification for the FIFA Under 20 World Cup to be held in September this year in Egypt.
?We would like to congratulate Ben on his elevation to the Socceroos. It?s a fantastic achievement for a player so young? said Francis Awaritefe, chief executive of the Foundation.
 ?One of Johnny Warren Foundation Football Program?s objectives is to lift the technical standards of Australian football and we?re confident we?re seeing the beginning of this? continued Francis Awaritefe
?Johnny Warren was about providing access and opportunity for young Australians to maximize their talent? said Foundation Chairman Brian Hastings.
Since the inception of the JWFF Program 2005, seven boys and eleven girls have represented Australia at U17 level.
The JWFF Program is free for junior elite footballers. The final camp for the 2008/2009 Program will be held on 5^th & 6^th of March at Glenwood (Football New South Wales?s facilities). The majority of player?s graduating from this year?s program are expected to represent NSW at the National 13?s Championships to be held in Canberra in from 11^th ? 18^th April.  
JOHHNY WARREN FOOTBALL FOUNDATION
The Johnny Warren Football Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that provides, at no cost to participants, coaching and development programs for 12-13 year old boys and 13-15 year old girls aspiring to achieve representative status.
In August 2002, as one of a number of recommendations, the JWFF came into being when the NSW Premier?s Football Taskforce, which was chaired by the late Johnny Warren MBE, OAM, recommended the establishment of a Football Academy focusing on skill and technique development.
Notwithstanding that the program is for talented athletes, the participants come from a broad range of backgrounds, including underprivileged and indigenous youngsters.
Ultimately the Johnny Warren Football Foundation Program aims to become a scholarship-based, elite player development pathway for boys and girls from the age of nine to 14 on a national level.