World Footy News

The Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI) has revealed that Jeep Ireland has signed up to become its official sponsor for the next three seasons.

The partnership between ARFLI and Jeep will run from 2011 to 2013 and will extend across all Australian Football competitions and development programmes including the Schools' Cup. The Jeep logo will also appear on the national team kit during the AFL Europe annual EuroCup event, which takes place in Belfast on October 8th hosted by ARFLI.

Jeep Ireland's investment in Australian Football in this country is the largest single investment made in the sport and will allow ARFLI to continue to grow participation levels year on year. Announcing the partnership, ARFLI President Ciaran O' Hara said:"We are delighted to have Jeep on board as our major sponsor and partner for the next three years. Jeep's involvement with us will help us establish new development programmes and raise the profile of our domestic competitions, not to mention assisting us in the push to win the EuroCup on home soil later this year. Jeep's partnership, coupled with our recent teamwear sponsorship with Waterford-based Azzurri Sportswear, represents a massive endorsement of our league and we hope that our members, their families and our wider community will support our partners as passionately as they support us."

Stephen McLernon, Marketing Director for Jeep Ireland commented:

"Given the rugged, tough nature of Jeep vehicles we're delighted to be involved in a similarly tough, no-nonsense sport such as the Australian Rules Football. With the annual AFL Europe EuroCup taking place in Belfast later this year it's the perfect time for Jeep Ireland to get behind the Irish team, and we're very excited about becoming the official sponsor of Australian Rules Football in Ireland as the popularity of this skilful and demanding sport grows and grows over the next few years."

The announcement of Jeep Ireland's partnership coincides with the launch of a new Brand identity for ARFLI. LockerRoom 51 Sports Branding Studio has designed new logos and branding for all of ARFLI's programmes, national team uniforms and competitions.