Westfield bags FFA Cup title spot

Shopping centre group Westfield has been announced as the naming rights partner for the FFA Cup under a three-year deal commencing with the Australian knockout club football tournament’s inaugural edition this year.

The deal extends Westfield’s association with Football Federation Australia that dates back to 2008. It is the title sponsor of the country’s national women’s team and W-League and also partners the men’s team and A-League.

Alongside Westfield, Fox Sports, Harvey Norman and NAB will serve as foundation partners of the FFA Cup.

Additionally, the federation has announced UK sportswear and equipment manufacturer Umbro as the official ball supplier of the FFA Cup.

FFA chief executive David Gallop said: “With the corporate support of our partners, we can finally realise our dream of having a truly national football competition that connects the grass roots to the semi-professional tier and through to the elite level of the Hyundai A-League. Since unveiling the Cup in February, there has been a genuine buzz amongst the Australian football community and today’s partnership announcements provide another historic moment in the genesis of the competition.”

The financial terms of the agreements were undisclosed, although the Australian Associated Press news agency said the Westfield deal will be used to cover the travel costs of all teams – the most significant expense in the competition.