The U.S. Soccer Foundation today announced prominent additions to the organization’s list of partners: Hunter Industries, John Deere and John Deere Landscapes.
“The addition of such prestigious companies to our Partners Resource Center reinforces the Foundation’s mission, ‘To enhance, assist and grow the sport of soccer in the United States,’” says John Koskinen, president of the organization. “Our Partners are our all-star team, each brining a specific expertise to the table, and we’re pleased to be associated with such organizations.”
Hunter Industries recently agreed to become the Foundation’s official supplier of irrigation equipment. The company believes that safe playing surfaces are key to successful sports programs because strong, healthy turf that is adequately irrigated holds up better under the stress of athletic training and competition. The philosophy is a perfect fit with the Foundation’s efforts to bring playable fields to communities across the United States.
“We are proud to be in partnership with the organization that is at the core of developing the future of soccer in America,” says Richard Hunter, president and CEO of Hunter Industries. “It has long been our company philosophy to be more than just a manufacturer, but to also play an active role in giving to the community.”
John Deere is now the official supplier of maintenance equipment for the Foundation. Through the partnership, constituents of the Foundation are eligible to receive significant discounts on their purchase of John Deere Products.
“Our partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a natural,” says Ron Wilwert, manager, national account sales for John Deere Worldwide Consumer and Commercial Division. “Our equipment is widely used among those responsible for field and facility maintenance, so it’s only natural that a business that thrives on the care of its fields – that being the soccer industry – will find real value from the products and services we provide. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
Additionally, John Deere Landscapes was named the foundations official supplier for wholesale nursery, irrigation and landscape supplies, according to company
Vice President Tim Kearns. “We are proud to support the efforts of the U.S. Soccer Foundation in its mission to enhance, assist and grow the sport of soccer by providing the products to build, maintain or enhance soccer fields.”
The Foundation’s Partners Resource Center offers a team concept providing experts recruited primarily to assist participants with soccer field projects, including a wide range of services from field design and construction, to equipping and lighting the fields. Applying the teamwork philosophy to the work done off the field, the Foundation has actively recruited organizations with similar interests to become part of a strong team of partners that strive to develop the game in the United States while carrying out their goal of enriching lives through soccer.