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Beau Emmerson (Buderim Wanderers C) - in orange Dylan Mathers (North Shore)- holding the ball Brianna Griffiths (Beegees) - in green

McDonald’s Sunshine Coast restaurants have announced a $300,000 sponsorship deal with Sunshine Coast Football. The three-year deal will benefit more than 6,000 local soccer players at junior and premier league levels.

The family restaurant chain will become the leagues’ major sponsor from 2010 and according to local McDonald’s licensee Greg Biggs, it will be registered football clubs and players that are set to be the biggest benefactors from the deal.

“McDonald’s has a history of long-term, grass roots sports sponsorships in Queensland and the local licensees wanted to be part of a growing sport here on the Coast,” Greg said.

“Hopefully through this partnership the clubs can attract more people to participate and get involved. We’ll be providing grants that can help cover the cost of new playing kits, training and match day equipment and other club-related materials.”

While sponsorship of the association is valued at $20,000 a year, the licensees have committed an additional $240,000 to leverage the deal and deliver the grants – a move welcomed by Sunshine Coast Football Chairman Garry Brown.

Beau Emmerson (Buderim Wanderers) - heading the ball

“Without corporate support, associations like ours simply can’t exist. To have McDonald’s involved is very exciting and their attitude and commitment to supporting our football clubs is admirable. We are very excited about the opportunities this sponsorship will offer our clubs,” Mr Brown said.

The Sunshine Coast Senior 1 st Division Men and Women and Junior competitions will now be known respectively as the McDonald’s Premier League and the McDonald’s Junior League competitions.

The Coast’s five McDonald’s licensees are no strangers to supporting local communities, helping to fund or support groups and events such as Noosa Nippers, Little Athletics, Wide Bay Swimming and Clean Up Australia Day.