Western Sydney Wanderers FC have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association to extend their partnership to 15 years.
One of the biggest associations in New South Wales with over 19,000 members, aligning with CDSFA is of key strategic importance for both organisations and allows the sharing of information and resources between the two.
CDSFA is one of the largest and most culturally diverse football associations in the state, servicing the Inner West region of Sydney with over 165 different nationalities represented in the association’s boundaries.
Stretching all the way to Punchbowl, Lakemba, and Strathfield, CDSFA and its clubs offer football competitions for men, women, juniors, and all-abilities. Several past and present Wanderers players have come through CDSFA clubs with Alessandro Lopane and Ramy Najjarine the two most recent.
Having been aligned since the Wanderers’ foundation year in 2012, this new five-year agreement will take the partnership to 15 years. CDSFA has been actively involved in many of the Wanderers’ community initiatives including Wanderers Schools Cup, coaching clinics, school programs and a strong match day presence.
With a combined membership base of 34,272, the two organisations will combine their strengths to help each other grow.
As well as strategic information sharing, the partnership will see shared engagement in football activities, coach and referee education, business development opportunities, and social/community opportunities.
Wanderers and CDSFA will also work together on mutually beneficial marketing, advertising, and PR campaigns as well as working together to maintain effective links and relationships with the government and private sector.
Western Sydney Wanderers CEO, Scott Hudson, said that this extended partnership is important for both organisations.
“Football in Australia can often be a divided landscape but working closely with CDSFA to share knowledge and resources will help both organisations and the entire sport of football,” said Hudson.
“We have a proud working history with CDSFA and our MOU will extend that even further, allowing us to work even closer. We are delighted to extend our partnership to a total of 15 years with CDSFA.
“Long-term strategic partnerships where all levels of football work together to grow is crucial for football to continue to be the most participated sport in the country. The football associations in our region are integral to the growth of our sport from a grassroots level all the way to the professional ranks.”
Chairman of CDSFA, Armando Gardiman, said this partnership extension was the next step of even deeper partnership in the future.
“I am delighted that we have extended our existing partnership with the Western Sydney Wanderers,” said Gardiman.
“Our engagement with Wanderers is now a historical one, having started some years ago. Wanderers have been particularly significant in the western conference of the Association where their players have attended events and functions put on by our clubs.
“I hope to see a much deeper engagement with Wanderers in the year and years to come. That is particularly so in relation to the western conference where we have a very culturally diverse playing group, one that identifies with a number of the Wanderers players.
“I would also hope that we can improve and extend the relationship that we have in the female participation area – specifically the schools program, and of course I am always delighted to see our little ones at CommBank Stadium on the pitch at half time.”
CDSFA players will next be on the pitch for the Sydney Derby on Saturday 11 February at CommBank Stadium.
