McDonald's out to support grassroots footyMonday, March 21, 2016 - 10:41 AM

Western Australian football has become the big winner after McDonald’s WA announced it will sponsor the local game at every level – from grassroots through to the AFL. 

In addition to continuing its WAFL naming rights sponsorship established last year, McDonald’s has confirmed it has entered into significant agreements with both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Football Club for 2016 and beyond.

In a major boost for community footy teams across the State, McDonald's has reconfirmed its commitment to the highly successful Macca’s Junior Sports Grants (MJSG) program which has entered its tenth year.

The announcement was made by Australian Football Hall of Fame legend and passionate grassroots football supporter Barry Cable at his spiritual home of Lathlain Oval.

"McDonald’s investment into local football was crucial for the survival of the game and the development of the next generation of football stars," Mr Cable said.

“To truly keep the great game great, we need to be nurturing beginners and developing a strong club spirit out there in the community, as well as ensuring the WAFL stays as a relevant feeder system for the AFL.

“We also need to keep supporting our local AFL teams to ensure they remain champions of the game and the only way of doing all this is with sponsorship that targets all levels of football.

Mr Cable commended McDonald's for its suppot of the game and said it's vital partnerships like this that ensure legions of WA fans and players have opportunities to embrace the game they love so much.

Players from WAFL clubs, the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Football Club joined Mr Cable in the announcement along with nine young Indigenous players from the remote Kimberley town of Beagle Bay.

Mr Cable said the Beagle Bay team, recent recipients of two MJSG grants, epitomised the importance of funding grassroots footy teams across Western Australia.

“I was lucky enough to visit Beagle Bay a couple of days ago and was blown away to see first-hand the transformational effect footy can have on such a small, tightknit community,” Mr Cable said.

McDonald’s licensee Grant Smith said McDonald’s was proud to be one of the biggest and certainly most passionate supporters of footy in WA.

“Getting behind every level of football is a fantastic way to give back to the local community and our sponsorships are making a real difference,” Mr Smith said.

“Whether it's ensuring junior teams have the equipment and skills they need to participate in the game, allowing more people than ever before to embrace the WAFL through the weekly live TV broadcasts, or enhancing game day experiences for Eagles and Dockers fans, Macca’s is there throughout the entire season.”