Money for Game Development

Buckley said that, as part of the agreement, Optus will provide football equipment for thousands of young football players in regional and urban areas around Australia.

Football has had the highest participation rates of any sport for boys aged 5-14 years for more than a decade and is also the fastest growing team sport for girls with an average annual growth rate of more than 6% over the past five years.

“Almost 1 million Australians enjoy playing football – whether it be formally through registered competition, or informally.

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Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Optus today announced an exciting new agreement in support of football from grassroots to the Qantas Socceroos.

The three year multi-million dollar agreement sees Optus become official partner of the Game Development Program, a key component of FFA’s national strategic framework to improve football at all levels of the game. Optus will also be the Official Telecommunications Partner of FFA, all national teams including the Qantas Socceroos and the Westfield Matildas, as well as the Hyundai A-League.

“This is another very good day for FFA and the entire football family,” said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.

“We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Optus and we appreciate their support for our ambitious plans to be the sport of first choice for players and fans.

“The Game Development Program is critical to building for the future.

“It is part of a long term plan to help make Australia a world leader in the game and to achieve sustained success at international level.”

Buckley said that, as part of the agreement, Optus will provide football equipment for thousands of young football players in regional and urban areas around Australia.

Football has had the highest participation rates of any sport for boys aged 5-14 years for more than a decade and is also the fastest growing team sport for girls with an average annual growth rate of more than 6% over the past five years.

“Almost 1 million Australians enjoy playing football – whether it be formally through registered competition, or informally.

“Optus’ support will help children around the country play the game,” Buckley said.

“The larger our participation base, the more likely our international success as we draw on a bigger pool of participants to be future Westfield Matildas or Qantas Socceroos.

“In addition, more children playing the game will result in healthier lifestyles and a healthier population.”

Optus Chief Executive, Paul O’Sullivan, said that Optus was proud to be involved with football.

“This is a strategic partnership for Optus. Both Optus and FFA are challenger brands committed to taking on the local incumbents and winning in our respective markets,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“Football is the biggest sport in the world with one of the highest youth participation sport rates in Australia, so our backing in this area will help secure the game’s future success on both domestic and international levels.

“Optus is keen to support this important program and encourage even greater participation, especially in regional Australia where Optus is investing significantly to expand its 3G Mobile Network,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“Optus is also proud to support the Qantas Socceroos in their quest to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.”

The Qantas Socceroos will play Qatar in a 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian group qualifier in Brisbane next Wednesday.

ENDS