2009 McDonald’s Kanga Cup a “great success”
Tournament officials have labelled the 2009 McDonald’s Kanga Cup a “great success” after the week long youth football tournament culminated with finals today across the territory.
The second largest McDonald’s Kanga Cup on record saw 223 teams from across Australia, New Zealand and Chinese Taipei contested 584 games over the course of the week, including 25 finals today.
“The 19th McDonald’s Kanga Cup has been a great success with fantastic football being played from under-10’s through to under-18’s this week,” McDonald’s Kanga Cup Event Manager Sarah Body said.
“We have a reputation as ‘drought busters’ but this year has been picture perfect with Canberra turning on the blue skies and sunny days for the visitors this week.”
Everyone will go home with their own highlights from this year’s tournament but for organisers none was more special than the introduction of a dedicated Under-10 girls competition for the first time.
“It goes to show how far the tournament has come in its relatively short history with the introduction of a dedicated competition for the girls under-10,” Body said.
“Hopefully we can build on those numbers in the years to come and hopefully all those young girls that competed this year will be back in the years to come before going on to play for the Matildas.”
The committee would like to extend their appreciation to everyone involved in this year’s tournament from players, coach and managers to referees, volunteers, staff and sponsors.
“On behalf of the tournament, thank you to the four thousand directly involved in the football while a big thank you must also be made to the family and friends that battled the cool this week to show their support from the sidelines,” Body said.
“A tournament such as this wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic assistance of our volunteers who have come from as far as New Zealand and Queensland, all of whom give up their own time to make the McDonald’s Kanga Cup a special week.”
“Last but not least, a big thank you to our wonderful sponsors ACT Tourism, the ACT Government, University of Canberra, the Australian Institute of Sport, 2B, Kennard Hire, Capital Chilled Foods and particularly our naming rights sponsor, McDonald’s ACT.”
Only 353 days until the McDonald’s Kanga Cup turn 20 years old with the 2010 tournament kicking off on July, 5th 2010.