Melbourne take heart from Westpac sponsorship

17 February 2010 | Posted in Sponsorship, Soccer | By Eoin Connolly

Melbourne Heart FC has announced a three-year sponsorship deal with leading Australian financial institution Westpac.

The newly-formed club makes its debut in the upcoming season of the Hyundai A-League, the top tier of Australian professional soccer. Westpac will be their inaugural principal partner. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the deal is worth an annual US$600,000.

As part of the agreement, Heart and Westpac will work together in creating community and coaching programmes around provincial Victoria. Heart will stage three 'Westpac Community Football Festivals' throughout June, encompassing the Geelong and Gippsland regions, with a further venue still to be determined.

Both parties welcomed the opportunity to further the development of soccer in the region. Melbourne Heart FC chief executive Scott Munn thanked Westpac for their support and added: "Although Melbourne Heart FC is in its infancy, the club is steadfast in the belief that it bears a distinct responsibility to further the cause of football throughout the state, utilising its resources and coaching expertise to help inspire the next generation of Victorians."

Mark Paton, the Westpac State general manager, regional Victoria, said: "Westpac is really excited about this new partnership with Melbourne Heart, particularly the opportunity to take football out to regional Victoria with the Westpac Community Football Festival."