NAB Scores Goal With Football Federation Australia
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Since 2006, NAB has been a proud partner of the Socceroos.
Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, with participation rates at junior and senior levels escalating at a rapid rate. With the Socceroos qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, interest in the game is at an all time high. The Socceroos possess the unique ability to unite the nation and NAB is proud to have backed the team on their journey to the 2006 FIFA World Cup and now on their path to South Africa for 2010.
The FFA relationship allows NAB to engage football fans, develop leverage programs that are relevant nationwide and play a small role in uniting the country through sport.
NAB's commitment to the Soccer in Australia extends not only to being a proud partner of the Socceroos but to the NAB A-League Young Player of the Year Award which supports and fosters young players participating in the A-League.
NAB A-League Young Player of the Year
The Football Federation Australia and National Australia Bank are pleased to announce details of a new football talent identification program developed to unearth and showcase the future stars of Australian Football, while at the same time providing funding to support the game at the grassroots level.
The NAB A-League Young Player of the Year will be awarded to the finest U/21 player talent throughout the 2009-10 Hyundai A-League competition. One nominee will be announced per month and all nominees will qualify to be named the NAB A-League Young Player of the Year Medallist at the conclusion of the season.
The overall winner will receive a $10,000 personal investment portfolio, a NAB Private Client Manager to assist with a range of banking and financial services, and the inaugural NAB A-League Young Player of the Year Medal.
To acknowledge the vital role junior football clubs play in the development of today's young stars, NAB will also provide a $3,000 equipment pack to the junior club nominated by each of the monthly nominees.
The announcement was made at the Sydney Football Stadium, home of Sydney FC, with an eligible player from each of the Australian-based* Hyundai A-League clubs, as well as young representatives from their nominated junior clubs.
Players participating in the announcement were:
Scott Jamieson Adelaide United
Luke DeVere Brisbane Roar
David D'Apuzzo Central Coast Mariners
Tahj Minniecon Gold Coast United
Nathan Elasi Melbourne Victory
Jason Hoffman Newcastle Jets
Osama Malik North Queensland Fury
Scott Neville Perth Glory
Kofi Danning Sydney FC
Also in attendance was Qantas Socceroos star, Mile Sterjovski who went through the football pathway, from junior football to the National Football League before becoming a senior Australian squad member and playing internationally in the game's pinnacle, the FIFA World Cup.
Head of Hyundai A-League, Archie Fraser, said NAB's commitment to grassroots football created exciting prospects for the ongoing development of the game.
"We are very excited to launch this accolade with the support of NAB," said Mr Fraser.
"We believe the NAB A-League Young Player of the Year format creates a brilliant way to recognise and reward the outstanding young talent that will be on display throughout the upcoming season.
"These impressive young players are the future face of Australian Football and we are excited about watching them evolve in the years to come. Now, with thanks to the NAB A-League Young Player of the Year Award, we will be given the opportunity to track their progress and recognise the contribution they make to our game." added Mr Fraser.
Spiro Pappas, Managing Director of NAB's Institutional Bank said NAB is delighted to be building upon its FFA partnership with the Young Player of the Year while at the same time offering assistance to the game at a grassroots level.
"NAB is pleased to be assisting with the identification of the next generation of Australian Football stars. We are proud to support this initiative and the young players in the competition as they strive to reach their potential," said Mr Pappas.
"We are really excited to launch the NAB A-League Young Player of the Year Award, particularly after the enormous success of our AFL talent identification program; the NAB AFL Rising Star Award. The NAB AFL Rising Star Award has grown to become one of the most respected accolades of the game and I've no doubt we will achieve the same with football as we have with AFL."
Under the NAB A-League Young Player of the Year format, an expert judging panel will choose a monthly winner. Monthly nominees will be eligible to be crowned Australia's best performed young player of the year. Australian players under the age of 21 at the commencement of the season, and who have not played more than 10 Hyundai A League games, are eligible to win the NAB A-League Young Player of the Year.
* The NAB A-League Young Player of the Year Award is only available to Australian players. Currently, there are no Australian under 21 players on the Wellington Phoenix roster.
