In a landmark occasion for the AFL Hunter Coast, McDonalds have come on board as the first sponsor of the Junior AFL Competition, commencing a partnership for the 2015 Season.

The partnership will see McDonalds provide a cash sponsorship to the AFL Hunter Coast Board, as well as large marquees for selected clubs, where McDonalds would like to promote their restaurants. The cash component will be used by the AFL Hunter Coast Board to reinvest back into junior football, and add value to the current competitions that are run. McDonalds have a strong partnership with the AFL nationally, and it is wonderful that this has translated into local benefits for the junior clubs across the Hunter and Central Coast.

AFL Hunter Coast Board Chairman, Ross Hughes, is delighted with this partnership.

“What fantastic news it is to see the AFL Hunter Coast enter into this sponsorship agreement with McDonalds,” said an excited Mr Hughes. “It is so refreshing to see our local McDonalds franchisees putting real money and support back into their local junior sport. The marquees will certainly improve the match day experience for the recipient club coaches and players, while the financial contribution will help the AFL Hunter Coast Board to recognise all the hard work of the club volunteers in our region.”

In particular, there are a group of McDonalds restaurants who have combined to provide this sponsorship. If you are looking for a bite to eat, or a beautiful, warm coffee on the way to the football, please look to support the following restaurants – Belmont, Broadmeadow, Charlestown, Cessnock, F3 Northbound, F3 Southbound, Heatherbrae, Hexham, King Street, Kurri Kurri, Maitland, Maitland Food Court, Mayfield, Raymond Terrace, Salamander Bay, Thornton, Wallsend, Williamtown and Warners Bay.

When the AFL Hunter Coast formed at the beginning of 2014, the inaugural Board outlined that sponsorship would be a high priority, and that establishing links with local business would be a positive reason to form the AFL Hunter Coast. Mr Hughes is proud that the AFL Hunter Coast Board has been able to deliver their first partnership.

“It is encouraging to see that value that the AFL Hunter Coast represents as a collective, start returning genuine benefits to our constituent clubs. On behalf of the AFL Hunter Coast I would like to thank McDonalds for their support of junior footy in our region, and look forward to an ongoing mutually beneficial relationship.”