Soccer’s servant for 45 years

GROWING up in Italy, John Bomben was given a choice of cycling or soccer. He chose cycling and became quite the competitor.

But a serious accident put paid to his cycling career and as a new dad in Australia, he found soccer the perfect vehicle for his own son.

Now he has been nominated for a Pride of Australia Medal for his decades-long commitment to soccer in his adopted homeland, helping thousands of Far North players develop their skills and fulfil their potential.

“John deserves to be nominated for this award because of what he’s done for soccer for the last 45 years,” says LeichClub, hardt Football Club president Jessy Mulla.

News Corp Australia has again partnered with Australia Post and 7News for the 2019 Pride of Australia Awards.

The Pride of Australia uncovers and honours ordinary Australians who make an extraordinary contribution to our community.

Jessy says John helped develop and strengthen soccer in the region by building new fields, developing infrastructure and clubhouses, helping establish Leichhardt Football hosting carnivals and creating pathways for the region’s talented young players.

The John Bomben Carnival, playing out in Cairns this week, has been driven by John for more than 30 years.

“It’s famously known as one of the best tournaments in Queensland and gets 40-45 teams every year from as far as Mackay, Mount Isa, Papua New Guinea and Rockhampton.

“John would bring teams down to Australia from PNG to play in competitions, board them, look after them and get sponsors for the kids.

“He was involved in the FNQ administration for many years, as well as Leichhardt, and he’s contributed to soccer in general. If anyone had a special ability, in any of the clubs, he would find opportunities to get them a trial with the big clubs down south.

“Johnny’s always there to help anyone who needs a hand. He built the Leichhardt clubhouse himself with volunteers and he’s slowly, slowly built it up with sweat and tears.”

A former zone president and longtime Leichhardt club president, John, 78, says he couldn’t have done any of it without the full support of his wife, Lyn Bomben.

Nominations for Pride of Australia close on October 21. Nominate a local hero at prideofaustralia.com.au

RECOGNISED: The father of soccer in Far North Queensland, John Bomben, has been nominated for a 2019 Pride of Australia Medal for his contribution to the sport at a club, regional and state level. He is pictured at this week’s John Bomben Carnival, named in his honour.