Sydney FC have announced a huge five-year deal with Macquarie University to become the Sky Blue’s principal partner.
The deal continues one of the most significant partnerships in the club’s history, with both parties already establishing a long-term relationship over many years. Sydney FC first began training at Macquarie University Sports Fields during the A-League 2006-07 season.
This news comes shortly after the opening of Sky Park, its brand new $30 million world class football and community precinct based at Macquarie University’s Sports Fields.
The partnership will focus on significant engagement between the club and the University’s community and health and well-being programs. In addition to that, Macquarie University will feature on both the Sydney FC’s Men’s and Women’s kits at the front.
Sydney FC Chairman Scott Barlow expressed his excitement to continue with Macquarie.
“This is the start of a new era in our partnership with Macquarie University,” he said in a club press release
“Over the last 17 years we have forged a strong relationship, and with the opening of Sky Park, we are now able to take this partnership to a new level.
“We are excited to work closer than ever before with Macquarie University to positively impact the lives of young people and our community through football.”
Macquarie University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Rorden Wilkinson shared the same excited sentiment in his statement.
“Sydney FC has used Macquarie University as a training base for the last 17 years and this new collaboration is a natural evolution of our relationship. he added via media release.
“We are delighted to be deepening our partnership. Our value systems come together very well, given our shared commitment to nurture and develop talent in both education and sport.
“The partnership is a natural alignment for both organisations supporting grass roots health and wellbeing initiatives to do good in the world.
“There is shared commitment to inclusion and Sydney FC has an extraordinary heritage in its support of the A-League Women’s and Men’s competition and that’s something the University is delighted to help progress.
“The partnership is a unique opportunity for Sydney FC and Macquarie University to embark on a range of health and community support projects as a team. We want to use football as a vehicle for community participation and empowerment. We are both very keen to expand our shared accessibility agenda.
“We are also very happy that Macquarie University will be providing pathways to help players to transition to new careers at the right time. Through our college and other entry pathways we have been increasing access to University for decades and we can’t wait to welcome some of the Sydney FC famous faces as our students.”
This partnership has been going strong for many years due to the fact that each parties values align in wanting to improve grassroots football as well as setting up young men and women for success.
This is a terrific decision by the Sky Blues who will no doubt benefit from the University’s facilities as they embark on potential success in the upcoming 2023/24 season.