Sydney FC today welcomed the intense rivalry that a newly-formed Hyundai A-League team in Western Sydney will generate as the Sky Blues consolidate what it has built in seven years of working with the entire Sydney Community.
Sydney FC today welcomed the intense rivalry that a newly-formed Hyundai A-League team in Western Sydney will generate as the Sky Blues consolidate what it has built in seven years of working with the entire Sydney Community.
Football Federation Australia today announced that a team from Western Sydney would enter the 2012/13 Hyundai A-League, signalling the start of a rivalry that will benefit Sydney FC and Football Fans.
“A team from Western Sydney gives Sydney FC a real competitor and a true derby that can only be good for Sydney FC, the A-League and football in Sydney,” said Sydney FC Acting CEO Stefan Kamasz. “We live in a city of five million people and we have always said there is room for two professional football teams.
“The long term viability of the A-League is dependant on two successful teams in Sydney and Sydney FC looks forward to the on-field and off-field rivalry that will be created.”
“Over the last seven years Sydney FC has worked hard to entrench itself in the Sydney Football Community through our relationships with Members, fans, Local Associations and Junior Clubs and that work will not only continue but it will expand.”
This season saw Sydney FC hit record numbers with its Community Program, which included the establishment of long term partnerships with six charities and more than 900 hours of visits by its players to junior clubs, schools and Community events all over Sydney.
That Community Program will continue in an expanded format as Sydney FC is joined by a new competitor in the race to the start of the 2012/13 Hyundai A-League.
Sydney FC-s immersion into the Sydney Football Community is not just restricted to its Members and fans. In the seven years of the Hyundai A-League, Sydney FC has contracted 80 professional players and 52 of them have come through the Sydney football system, which includes the NSW State League Clubs, the Football NSW Associations and grassroots junior clubs.
The recently completed 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season also saw Sydney FC attendances increase by more than 40 per cent.
That average attendance is certain to increase with the injection of local derby crowds and Sydney FC will launch its 2012/13 Membership Campaign in the coming weeks.
