By James Wells

SYDNEY: Sony Australia today announced it has signed a three-year agreement with the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) to become an official supplier to the Socceroos.

The deal will see Sony become the official consumer electronics partner of the Socceroos until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – a similar deal previously negotiated with the Wallabies around the 2003 World Cup Rugby which was held in Sydney.

At a press conference held this morning at Sony Central in Sydney’s CBD, Sony Australia group manager – corporate marketing communications, Tim Rich, announced that the deal with the FFA highlights a local angle to Sony Corporation’s existing global relationship with football’s world body – FIFA – and will also provide the consumer electronics brand with access to the Socceroo players, games, branding and merchandise.

The deal will include the supply of camcorders, high definition flat panel Bravia televisions, Vaio laptop computers as well as PlayStation3 consoles which deliver high definition gaming and Blu-ray entertainment for recreation.

FFA chief executive officer, Ben Buckley, said the equipment that Sony will provide under the agreement will assist the development of footballers and also feature at the offices of the code’s administrators.

“The FFA is delighted to add another global company to its prestigious list of partners and suppliers,” Buckley said.

“Sony has a tremendous partnership with football worldwide and we look forward to working with Sony on programs to develop football in Australia.”

The Socceroos will play against Uruguay on 2 June in Sydney and in the AFC Asian Cup from July.