Sinosteel Midwest Group (SMG) will present a cheque for $20,000 to the Midlands Regional Football Development Council (MRDC) this Saturday 10th September at the North Midlands football grand-final in Morawa.
The SMG Resourcing the Region sponsorship funds will assist MRDC to deliver the Perth Football Club Robert Wiley Country Academy program, which encourages local Midlands children to participate in sport to improve general fitness, social and community skills.
The sponsorship will be officially announced at the North Midlands football grand-final on Saturday, where the Country Academy Colts team will play a game to showcase their skills in the lead-up to the main event.
SMG External Relations Manager Danielle Van Kampen said they’re excited to be partnering with the MRFD to deliver the Country Academy program.
“The Academy aims to be an innovative leader in youth development in the Midlands zone, using sport to deliver pathways in education, healthy lifestyles and career development that are culturally sensitive, integrated and inclusive. We couldn’t ask for a better fit for our Resourcing the Region sponsorship program,” Danielle said.
According to MRDC Chairman Damien Leeson, the support of SMG is vital to the success of the Academy.
“SMG’s support will greatly assist us grow our Academy to promote sport for fun and fitness, while also allowing participants the opportunities to further their chosen sport, whether as a player, coach, umpire or sports trainer,” Damien said.
Damien will join General Manager of the WA Country Football League Cameron Knapton for the official announcement of the sponsorship on Saturday.
“Having company’s like SMG invest in the development of the game is fantastic. It provides players the opportunity to engage in these important player pathways, giving them the opportunity to go onto bigger and better things,” Cameron said.
One player who has reached the pinnacle of the game through such pathways is West Coast Eagles Captain, Darren Glass.
“The Perth Football Club Robert Wiley Country Academy is a great initiative and offers many benefits to country players. With local support the program will go from strength to strength,” Darren said.
The Midlands region extends from Dongara in the northwest, to Morawa in the north east. Last season alone, the Midlands Regional Football Development Council conducted 95 school visits and 86 community visits exposing in excess of 9700 students in schools and over 4000 people in the community to football programs in the region.