Volkswagen Canada renews commitment to Canadian Premier League

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Volkswagen and Canadian Premier League
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The Canadian Premier League (CPL) has announced that its partnership with Volkswagen Canada will continue until 2028, extending their relationship for an additional five years.

Since January 2019, the competition’s debut season, Volkswagen Canada has been a partner of the CPL.

As part of the deal, Volkswagen Canada will, once again, be the main shirt sponsor for Halifax Wanderers FC, with the Volkswagen emblem prominently displayed throughout the season.

Volkswagen has long been an endorser of Canadian football and will continue to make inroads with enthusiastic fans across the country through various activities, including sponsorships, stadium activations, broadcasts, and social media engagements.

Mark Noonan, Commissioner of the Canadian Premier League and CEO of Canadian Soccer Business, said via press release:

“Volkswagen Canada is a true partner in every sense of the word. They were with us at the beginning, believing in what was possible, and we are excited that this extension means we will continue our relationship through the League’s first decade of existence.

“In the first five years of our partnership, Volkswagen has done a wonderful job activating to the benefit of our supporters and the communities we serve. We look forward to continuing, and building on, this important relationship for CPL and everyone who cares about soccer in Canada.”

Lynne Piette, Director of Marketing at Volkswagen Canada, added:

“Soccer is a rapidly growing sport in Canada, and we are honoured to support the Canadian Premier League’s vision to bring the beautiful game to even more Canadians from coast-to-coast.”

“Our renewed partnership highlights the passion that fans, clubs, players, and communities have brought to the league in the past five years. The league’s values of bringing equality, diversity, and sustainability to the game are fundamental pillars we will continue to foster through our partnership moving forward. We plan to do this through ongoing initiatives like Volkswagen FC: Game Changers, Pride matches, and other exciting campaigns we have in the pipeline. We are truly excited to see another five years of soccer in Volkswagen Canada’s future, and we are proud partners of the league.”

Ahead of the Canadian Premier League’s fifth season, this latest agreement will play a pivotal role in the long-term future.

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Football NSW calls on clubs to Make It Red for Heart Health Round

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Football NSW is calling on clubs and associations across the state to register for the 2026 Make It Red campaign, joining a national awareness movement aimed at reducing heart-related deaths on sporting grounds ahead of Heart Health Round on the weekend of June 5 to 7.

The campaign, developed by the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, asks sporting clubs to wear red, raise funds and build awareness around heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest, which is the leading single cause of disease burden and death in Australia for both men and women, and one that health authorities say is largely preventable through modifiable risk factors.

The call to action comes as the Foundation continues its work to map and register Automated External Defibrillators across NSW sporting facilities, a project that has already engaged twelve football associations and fed data into both the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM registry and NSW Health’s public AED map. The availability of a functioning, registered AED on site is among the most significant determinants of survival following sudden cardiac arrest, with survival rates declining sharply for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is encouraging clubs to engage with the campaign across three areas. Clubs can register for the Make It Red campaign to help fund research, education and prevention programs. Participants, particularly those aged over 35, are encouraged to seek a free heart health screening test from their local GP or enquire about hosting a Heartbeat of Football testing day. Clubs are also urged to ensure their grounds have active, accessible AEDs in place, with guidance available through Football NSW’s Rescue Ready Guide.

The Make It Red campaign runs from June 5 to July 12, with Heart Health Round taking place across the opening weekend. Clubs can register and access participation resources at makeitred.org.

Community Spirit Shines on AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026

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Image credit: Football Australia

This week, Football Australia (FA) celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026, championing the people and communities who continue to hold up a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in the football landscape.

‘For all, for life’

In collaboration with Football NSW, Canterbury Football Association and community club, Balmain & District Football Club, the day reflected the very best of what football provides.

The event brought in participants of all ages – from 4-74 years-old – and reached a total of 400 people. Girls-only programs, all-abilities sessions and over-age football ensured all were catered for.

Such a diverse range of participants builds on a wider drive during FIFA World Football Week, which seeks to promote the sport not just as the dazzling lights of 100,000-seater stadiums, but as a way to foster community spirit and social development.

Furthermore, FA support through its Club Changer program was a welcome addition to the action, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to nurture a real love for the game across communities in Australia.

“Through Club Changer we support our clubs to provide a safe, fun and enjoyable environment where everyone is welcome; whether that be as a player, volunteer, referee or supporter,” explained National Program Manager Club Development at FA, Grace Lambourne.

“Everyone should feel they belong and are welcome to play, stay, and love the game.”

 

A welcome celebration

While the upcoming FIFA World Cup will no doubt inspire millions of future Socceroos and Matildas, events like the AFC Grassroots Football Day represent something beyond just inspiration.

It is a platform. An opportunity to express a love for football and to connect with others while doing so.

And connections between the professional and grassroots game is more important than ever if Australia is to nurture the next generation of talent.

This is particularly clear in the rise of women’s football across the nation. Since the FIFA Women’s World Cup, female participation rose by 32%, and registrations for the MiniTillies Program skyrocketed from 264 in 2023, to 1223 in 2024.

The professionals spark passion. But communities turn that passion into playing time.

That is why celebrating grassroots football – and the volunteers and families who sustain it – is a vital part of Australia’s football future. Together, FA and the AFC are creating strong foundations built on positivity, engagement, and inclusivity for all with a love for the beautiful game.

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