Match Australia uses sport to bring international business down under
Wednesday 9 August 2014
Match Australia is the Australian Government’s International Sports Business Program for the AFC Asian Cup and the ICC Cricket World Cup, both being hosted by Australia in early 2015. The program will be led by Austrade and is focused on leveraging major global sporting events to promote Australia as a destination for business, tourism and education during both tournaments.
The program was launched by Austrade CEO Bruce Gosper in late March, along with the NSW Premier the Hon Barry O’Farrell MP, and Frank Lowy, Chairman of Football Federation Australia.
The Asian Cup involves Australia competing against the 15 strongest football nations in the Asian Confederation. The winner will qualify as the AFC’s representative at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017 – one year prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. AFC Asian cup matches will be played in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle and Canberra from 9 – 31 January 2015.
The ICC Cricket World Cup will be played across Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2015 and involves all major cricketing nations. The supporting Match Australia program will provide an opportunity to promote trade, investment, tourism and education opportunities particularly across the sub-continent, with much of the cricket offshore activity to take place in India and Sri Lanka.
During the Match Australia - AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, Austrade, in partnership with state and territory governments, will host business delegations. This will help establish high-level connections and provide Australian companies with access to opportunities in priority markets and countries hosting future international major sporting events.
For more information and to register your interest in the program, visit http://www.austrade.gov.au/buy/australian-industry-capability/major-sporting-events/match-australia/afc-2015.