Nepean FA’s James Rankine ready for Russia
Nepean Football Association Football Manager James Rankine is Russia bound for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after his winning slogan, ‘Be Brave, Be Bold, Socceroos in Green and Gold’ was voted number one in the ‘Be There With Hyundai at the FIFA World Cup Content’ competition.
Rankine’s slogan was a hit with voters as he took out the ultimate prize of winning a trip for two to Russia with three night’s accommodation in a four-star hotel with two tickets to the Australia v France match and the opportunity to escort the Socceroos.
“It will be a whirlwind trip that’s for sure.
“I am flying out on the 14th of June along with my wonderful partner Trish which coincidentally happens to be our five-year anniversary and we’ll be there from the 15th till the 18th.”
The Socceroos team bus will bear Rankine’s crafty piece of work after the Nepean FA administrator first heard about this competition in previous World Cup campaigns online.
“I first saw this in 2006 when FIFA introduced this competition thanks to Hyundai.
“It’s a great chance to give football fans the opportunity to express their passion by creating slogans for their individual national teams represented at the FIFA World Cup.
“I also do frequent the official FIFA website and took it from there.”
Upon hearing the news of winning, Rankine first thought it was a scam.
“I actually thought it was a scam until I logged onto FIFA and saw the 3 slogans to be put to vote by the public and mine was one of them!
“When I received our flight schedules and more information I realised that I had been selected which was pretty surreal.”
Asked what spurred him on in putting together an entry, Rankine stated to Football NSW.
“I just thought it would be for a bit of fun to enter and I saw other slogans in previous campaigns and thought why not give it a go.”
The question was asked on where he drew his inspiration from in getting his winning slogan ‘Be Brave, Be Bold, Socceroos in Green and Gold.
“We had just qualified and the groups had been drawn and I just thought that it would be great if the Socceroos could maintain their style which is the great Aussie spirit in giving the group a good shake.
“We’ve been building a certain style of play and attitude and I’d hate to see us go into our shells and lose faith in that, so brave and bold seemed appropriate and it worked in nicely with our colours.”
Rankine is one of 32 lucky winners from across the globe ready to embark on a trip of a lifetime with the football fanatic hoping to see the Socceroos cause an upset against the Les Blues.
“I cannot wait for the entire experience, although short, the FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events and to be able to say that I will be there is unreal.
“I am hoping that our boys kick some French butt in the process as I would love to say I saw this live.
“Obviously seeing the slogan appear on the team bus will also be an unbelievable moment too so I cannot wait for this in a few week’s time.”
