AFL Queensland is excited to announce Star as the official major sponsor of the Queensland Schools of Excellence competition for 2015 and 2016.
The sponsorship deal will ensure the competition, to be branded the ‘Star Cup’, will take another step up professionally with Star to provide officials uniforms for each of the eight South East Queensland schools as part of the deal.
Star National Sales Manager Luke Faulkner said the company was delighted to further support AFL Queensland.
“Star are thrilled to be involved with such a terrific program,” said Faulkner
“It is a great opportunity to re-launch our Star brand throughout schools in Queensland and, more importantly, it is wonderful to be a part of an exciting time for AFL in Queensland, with participation levels at an all-time high.”
The current Boys’ U14 and senior competitions will this year be joined by two new competitions: U15 Lightning Premiership and Senior Girls’ Star Cup, aiming to increase participation by offering more students the opportunity to play.
The 15 year old age group often miss chances to represent their school as they move from the U14 to senior age group, having to compete against bigger bodies to win a spot in their team.
The Lightning Premiership will be contested over two carnival days during the year and offer those boys an opportunity to compete against their peers.
In an exciting step for female footy, the senior girls will now play for premiership points after playing exhibition curtain raisers during the boys’ matches over the last few seasons.
Schools will be encouraged to participate in both these new divisions; however, it will not be compulsory.
In a move to encourage participation across the schools, aggregate points will be awarded for results in all five of the Schools of Excellence Competitions, with the winning school receiving the ‘Star Cup Champions’ Trophy’.
AFL Queensland CEO Michael Conlan said the new partnership would enable the further development of the program.
“It’s an exciting time for school football in Queensland,” said Conlan.
“The Schools of Excellence are our premier school competitors in Queensland and this partnership with Star will ensure we again raise the bar in product delivery and experience.”
The Star Cup will be officially launched at the first schools of excellence competition of the year, the Jonathan Brown Cup, on Friday 20th February at Yeronga.
