Hyundai backs NZ Soccer

17 December 2004

Hyundai backs NZ Soccer

Hyundai has been appointed the official vehicle of New Zealand Soccer.

The fast-growing South Korean brand will be helping New Zealand Soccer improve people’s sporting experiences nationwide with a new sponsorship driving coaches for clubs and schools.

A major backer of soccer (football) worldwide, Hyundai has swung in behind Soccer New Zealand’s innovative new CoachForce programme for the recruitment, training and deployment of coaches.

The seven coaches, spread around the country, and their Manager of National Development Kevin O’Leary will drive Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs.

A further six Hyundai SUVs, five Santa Fe and one Terracan, will be driven by NZ Soccer head office staff, in a deal involving Orix Leasing.

“We are very pleased to be chosen by New Zealand Soccer as their official vehicle,” commented the General Manager of Hyundai Automotive New Zealand Philip Eustace.

“This new arrangement effectively extends Hyundai’s massive worldwide support for ‘The Beautiful Game’ into New Zealand.”

A public face of Hyundai’s support will be CoachForce, a ground-breaking programme which New Zealand Soccer has pioneered among national sporting organisations to address the country’s need for high quality coaches at local, regional and national levels.

Hyundai signage will also be seen at grounds nationwide.

“We had been looking at ways of forging a relationship with Hyundai for some time, “ said the Marketing and Sponsorship Manager of NZ Soccer, Hamish Miller.

“Given Hyundai’s involvement with the game globally through their partnership with FIFA we were eager to see if this could be capitalised upon from a New Zealand perspective.

“Our aim is to drive business for Hyundai as a result of the nationwide exposure our coaches and staff will deliver.”

Internationally, Hyundai sponsored the massive EURO 2000 and EURO 2004 tournaments, the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cups and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea. And the brand has already committed to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Closer to home, the brand backs the Hyundai A-League in Australia.

ENDS

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