Hyundai and Football Federation Australia Kicks Thousands for Australian Grassroots Football

CLAYTON, Australia – December 23, 2008: With just over half the Hyundai A-League Season 2008/09 complete, Hyundai Motor Company Australia has already donated a total of $39,000 to grassroots clubs across Australia.

The ‘Goals for Grassroots’ program is an initiative between Hyundai Motor Company Australia and Football Federation Australia (FFA) which supports selected grassroots clubs with much needed support especially through these tough times with drought and the current economic climate affecting many Australians.

Hyundai Motor Company is a proud supporter and sponsor of football across the globe through its association with FIFA and the major sponsorship of the World Cup; locally it supports the Qantas Socceroos through FFA, is the naming rights sponsor of the Hyundai A-League and supports football right down to local grassroots clubs through the ‘Goals for Grassroots’ program.

Ben Buckley, CEO of FFA said that the initiative allows both organisations to contribute to local communities which support football.

“Investing in the growth of football in Australia through such initiatives helps ensure the future of quality football in Australia.”

These donations have been used in a variety of ways including purchasing new equipment, laying new turf, football education for coaches and referees right across Australia.

Blackwood United Football Club located in regional Western Australia used their donation for purchasing a small mini-bus which has been used to collect children around the area for training as well as transporting team members to games.

Steve Lawson, Blackwood United Football Club treasurer, said “As we are a regional club this donation has allowed us to attract more members now transport is available and has also enabled us to travel further to play more games.”

The Harrisfield Junior Soccer Club is looking to use the donation for a number of exercises from purchasing lights for training at night to subsidising fee for under-privileged children.

George Tasianakas of the Harrisfield Junior Soccer Club said “As our club located in a lower socioeconomic area of Melbourne the donation has permitted us to help children who would otherwise not be able to play football to join our club, in addition we have been able to purchase equipment to further reduce the financial burden off our members.”

Hyundai will continue to support football in Australia with the recent re-signing of its strong partnership with the Hyundai A-League and FFA.

Steve Yeo, Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Motor Company Australia said, “As the founding sponsor of the Hyundai A League, our partnership with football in Australia is extremely strong and our ‘Goals for Grassroots’ program is testament to this.”

One home game per round of the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Season has been selected to be part of the ‘Goals for Grassroots’ program. To be considered for a donation ahead of each home match, local football clubs should complete an application on-line at www.ilovefootball.com.au and submit why their club should receive support.

Grassroots clubs selected will benefit from an initial $1,000 donation from Hyundai Motor Company Australia, and an additional $1,000 per goal scored by the home team that nominated them (up to $5,000 total).

To be eligible to enter, local clubs must belong to an association affiliated to FFA.