22 June 2018

McDonald's ACT partners with Kanga Cup as Canberra football participation numbers grow

| Lachlan Roberts
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McDonald’s ACT licensee Hani Sidaros and Capital Football CEO Phil Brown. Photo: Lachlan Roberts.

McDonald’s ACT has become the naming rights partner of the largest youth football tournament in the southern hemisphere, the Kanga Cup, as football participation numbers continue to rise in the ACT.

The partnership between McDonald’s ACT and Kanga Cup will span the next three years, providing an opportunity for the youth tournament to grow it’s national and international profile while collaborating with the local Canberra community.

Last year, the Kanga Cup saw 380 teams descend on playing fields across Canberra and contribute a staggering $5.2 million to the Canberra economy due to over 42,000 visitors across the ACT.

Capital Football CEO Phil Brown said that the support of McDonald’s ACT will only serve to improve the event this year and their passion and support for local grassroots sport only serves to make the future even brighter.

“The Kanga Cup generates an enormous economic uplift for the ACT business community, and we are grateful that McDonald’s ACT has chosen to partner with the tournament,” Mr Brown said.

“Their support of the Kanga Cup demonstrates a commitment to give back to the local community by partnering with grassroots sport.

“From its humble beginnings in 1991, with just 35 teams, the Kanga Cup has grown to be the largest youth football tournament in the southern hemisphere,” Mr Brown said.

“This July, we welcome back teams from across Australia who will be joined by teams from South Korea, New Zealand, and for the very first time Ghana and Singapore, which will be a great addition to the tournament this year.

“From 35 teams up to 360, we would love to see it go past 400 and the more support and partnerships with big brands, the more chance we have of growing the competition.”

McDonald’s ACT licensee Hani Sidaros said he is looking forward to being a part of the tournament and using his brand to help grow and improve the grassroots tournament.

“We’re really proud to be a part of the local Canberra community and we do everything we can to support them,” Mr Sidaros said.

“We’re delighted to be able to play an active role in supporting grassroots football through the Kanga Cup and, in doing so, encourage more kids to lead an active lifestyle.

“We’re excited to see the tournament come to life next month and will be cheering on the teams the whole way.”

Mr Brown said Capital Football had seen participation numbers grow, coinciding with the World Cup this year. The CEO said ACT’s football governing body will continue to increase access to fields and the number of coaches and referees available to facilitate the growing numbers.

“This year we had an increase in juniors and seniors across both males and females, and we would hope to see that the success of both Socceroos and Matildas in national and international competitions leads to further growth in participation in the years to come,” he said.

“We are continuing to engage with the ACT Government about access to fields. There are other opportunities, with schools and other private venues and we will continue to explore those opportunities as much as we can.”

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