Australia and Nike Keep Flying Together
In an exciting milestone for Australian football, Football Australia and Nike are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking 10-year contract extension, solidifying their enduring partnership into an impressive third decade. This marks the longest-standing federation and club partnership for Nike in Australia, underscoring their unwavering commitment to the growth of football down under.
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This extended collaboration not only reaffirms Nike's long-term dedication to Australian football but also showcases a significant investment in Football Australia's grassroots initiatives, inclusivity programs, and the impactful Legacy '23 strategy. This strategy, aimed at enhancing access to the game for young girls and women, aligns seamlessly with Nike's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the sport.
As part of the extended partnership, Nike will continue to be the official apparel partner for all Australian national teams, including the Junior and Youth men's and women's squads. This ensures that our players will continue to don cutting-edge, high-performance gear that empowers them to deliver their best performances on the field.
A noteworthy aspect of this extended collaboration is the dedicated investment in Football Australia's Legacy '23 initiative, which leverages the growth of women's football to create lasting benefits for the nation's largest community sport beyond 2023. With the goal of achieving gender parity in participation, Nike's specific allocation of funds to Legacy '23 ensures that the momentum generated during major tournaments translates into a lasting legacy for Australian football.
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James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, expressed the significance of this extension with Nike, stating, "This is a pivotal moment for Australian football. It solidifies Nike's commitment to our national teams and provides significant resources for the growth of grassroots football and our ambitious Legacy '23 plan to inspire the next generation of female footballers."
The announcement is met with enthusiasm from Nike athlete and CommBank Matildas vice-captain, Steph Catley, who highlights the dual role played by Nike – not only providing innovative, high-performance gear for athletes but also contributing to the broader development of the sport. Catley states, "Nike's unwavering commitment to building the game, investing in us as athletes, and broadening access for the next generation of players and fans plays a pivotal role in driving the sport forward. We are thrilled to continue working with them and look forward to the exciting journey ahead."
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As we anticipate a prosperous decade ahead, Football Australia and Nike are committed to empowering players from grassroots to the global stage, inspiring the next generation of Australian footballers. This announcement adds to Nike's continued investment in growing the game at all levels, exemplified by initiatives like the Nike FC Accelerator Program in partnership with Football Victoria. This four-year commitment supports female participation in football, providing access to certified coaching programs, world-class facilities, and more.
Beyond the borders of Australia, Nike's global investment in football includes designing national team kits, fostering professional women's leagues, and creating accessible spaces such as SHAPA Soweto in South Africa – a community hub dedicated to providing football resources for young people in the area.
As we celebrate this remarkable partnership milestone on our 1-year birthday, we reflect on the joy brought by the ever-evolving Nike jerseys during World Cups, symbolizing the dynamic spirit and continuous evolution of our beloved sport. Here's to another decade of football glory, unity, and innovation with Nike – our steadfast partner on this incredible journey.
