WAFL MEDIA RELEASE: New tri-level sponsorship champions football in Western Australia

Western Australian football was the big winner today with McDonald’s WA announcing it will sponsor the local game at every level – from grassroots through to the AFL. 

In addition to continuing its WAFL naming rights sponsorship established last year, McDonald’s has confirmed it has entered into significant agreements with both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Football Club for 2016 and beyond.

And in a major boost for community footy teams across the State, it has reconfirmed its commitment to the highly successful Macca’s Junior Sports Grants (MJSG) program which is now in its tenth year.

The tri-level corporate investment into substantially growing footy in Western Australia was announced by Australian Football Hall of Fame legend and passionate grassroots football supporter, Barry Cable. 

Hosting a community football clinic at his ‘spiritual home’ of Lathlain Oval, Mr Cable said McDonald’s investment into local football was crucial for the survival of the game and the development of the next generation of football stars.

“To truly keep the great game great, we need to be nurturing beginners and developing a strong club spirit out there in the community, as well as ensuring the WAFL stays as a relevant feeder system for the AFL,” Mr Cable said.

“We also need to keep supporting our local AFL teams to ensure they remain champions of the game and the only way of doing all this is with sponsorship that targets all levels of football.

“I commend McDonald’s for its support of the game. It’s vital partnerships like this that ensures legions of Western Australian fans and players have opportunities to embrace the game they love so much.” 

Players from WAFL clubs, the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Football Club joined Cable for today’s announcement along with nine young Indigenous players from the remote Kimberley town of Beagle Bay – 125km north of Broome.

Recent recipients of two MJSG grants, Mr Cable said the Beagle Bay team epitomised the importance of funding grassroots footy teams across Western Australia.

“I was lucky enough to visit Beagle Bay a couple of days ago and was blown away to see first-hand the transformational effect footy can have on such a small, tightknit community,” he said.

Barry Cable was announced as Macca’s Champion of WA Footy to promoted the great game across all levels in the state.

McDonald’s licensee, Grant Smith, said, McDonald’s was proud to be one of the biggest and certainly most passionate supporters of Western Australian footy.

“Getting behind every level of football is a fantastic way to give back to the local community and our sponsorships are making a real difference,” Mr Smith said.

“Whether its ensuring junior teams have the equipment and skills they need to participate in the game, allowing more people than ever before to embrace the WAFL through the weekly live TV broadcasts, or enhancing game day experiences for Eagles and Dockers fans, Macca’s is there throughout the entire season.”