McFooty Sponsorship kicks off 2008

McDonald?s restaurants in NSW will invest a six-figure sum over the next two years with a focus to specifically supporting football at grassroots level.

The sponsorship includes naming rights to the McDonald?s and Football NSW ?Kick It Kids? School Development Program, which will visit 400 primary schools throughout NSW and benefit over 65,000 children. The coaching clinics will teach children how to play football in a fun and educational environment.

McDonald?s have developed the ?Find a Club? webpage, linked to the Football NSW website which assists parents and their children in locating their nearest football club and features an easy-to-use search tool. McDonald?s will also present 32 Football Scholarships valued at $500 each to the state?s rising football stars, as well as providing McDonald?s Encouragement Awards throughout the year.

Trent Sutton, McDonald?s State Marketing Manager, says the sponsorship demonstrates McDonald?s commitment to supporting football at grassroots level and helping children to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

?We are excited about the partnership with Football NSW which will benefit thousands of school children throughout NSW. Football is a great sport which encourages fair play, team work and having fun outdoors with friends. These are great values for budding football players that McDonald?s greatly supports,? said Mr Sutton.

Jim Forrest, President of NSW Football Limited, says the organisation is pleased to partner with McDonald?s restaurants throughout NSW.

?The number of school children playing football continues to increase every year and it is wonderful to partner with an organisation that is committed to growing football at a grassroots level.

?The sponsorship has benefited our members beyond a monetary basis, with Football NSW tray mats and in-store posters across over 150 McDonald?s restaurants in NSW and television advertisements promoting football and encouraging everyone to get involved,? said Mr Forrest.

McDonald?s restaurants in NSW will also provide Football NSW with branded balls and bibs to be used during the McDonald?s and Football NSW ?Kick It Kids? School Development Program.

For more information on McDonald?s Australia visit www.mcdonalds.com.au and on Football NSW visit www.footballnsw.com.au.

For more information, please contact:
Eileen Lorenzo
Professional Public Relations
Telephone: 02 9818 0979
Email: elorenzo@ppr.com.au