By Mark Baber
April 8 – Australian pay-TV network Foxtel has pledged $20 million over the next four years to support the development of youth football in Australia.
News Limited chief executive Rupert Murdoch said the programme would help develop Australia’s next crop of football stars, while encouraging participation in team sport: “Fox Sports together with their professional partnership with FFA have helped raise the profile of the sport in Australia. They support the dreams and aspirations of kids and parents alike.”
Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop was quoted by Foxsports as saying that football in Australia is “going gangbusters”.
“Today is another bloody good day for Australian football,” he said.
Gallop, who before taking over as CEO of the FFA in August was head of Australian Rugby League, said: “Let me tell you a few things that make football unique. Football is the game that represents Australia in all of its diversity. Football is international. The cool kid at school is into football.”
The new deal includes increased financial support for the game as well as the Foxtel All Stars Ambition program, designed to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for kids of all ages and walks of life and featuring Tim Cahill.
10 two-day clinics will be held for youngsters across Australia.
Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein said the company had “an important role to play inspiring a new generation of football fans and players”.
“This new program takes us full circle with our involvement in football, from development and grassroots to our live and extensive broadcast of every single A-League match, in HD and without ad-breaks and our extensive live coverage of the Qantas Socceroos as they strive to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup.”
The FFA struck a $160m new media rights deal in November with Foxtel and SBS, beginning with the 2013-14 season.
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