New Zealand Football is delighted to announce a ground-breaking three-year partnership with Ford New Zealand, primarily focused on women’s and girls’ football.

The partnership represents a significant investment in the Football Ferns and the girls and women’s game from the elite level right down to grassroots.

The women’s national team will now be known as the Ford Football Ferns, the first time the team has had a naming rights partner.

In addition, to support the growth of women and girls across the game, Ford will also become the naming partner of the Women in Leadership Programme, the Community Leadership Programme, Female Coach Mentorship Programme and Future Ferns Domestic Programme (FFDP). Ford will also become an official partner of the women’s National League Championship.

This is a significant investment in the women’s game in Aotearoa New Zealand, says New Zealand Football’s Brand & Partnerships General Manager James Wear.

“We are especially pleased by Ford’s determination to be involved with the Football Ferns ahead of the home FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as in the women’s game from top to bottom.

“This partnership headlines with the naming rights to the Football Ferns, the first time a New Zealand Football national team has had a naming rights partner, but it also filters right through the development system.”

“The women’s game continues to grow rapidly and will explode by 2023. Ford have always recognised the opportunity for this presents for partners and we are excited to begin this journey with them.”

New Zealand Football Women’s Development Manager and Football Fern centurion Annalie Longo recognises the impact a major partnership like this will have across the women’s game:

“To develop women’s football, we really need to promote, invest in and empower both on and off the field.

“That’s why the Ford Female Leadership Programme and Ford Coach Mentorship Programme are so important in building and investing in and empowering our females to coach, administrate and deliver to give experiences in football to everybody.

“It’s brilliant to have Ford recognise the importance of empowering and building capability in women off the pitch as well as on it in order to build the game.”

Ford New Zealand is delighted to have joined New Zealand Football’s teams, says Cameron Thomas, Marketing Director of Ford New Zealand.

“We are really excited to be announcing our partnership today with New Zealand Football and in particular supporting women’s football and the Football Ferns,” he says.

“This partnership reflects Ford’s ongoing commitment to sport in New Zealand as well as our focus on diversity and creating a culture of belonging. The partnership will also give our Ford New Zealand future leaders the opportunity to engage with the leadership and mentoring programs to help learn and develop the skills needed to be their best in the corporate environment, much like in high performance sport with the Football Ferns.”

Article added: Tuesday 23 November 2021