Ford NZ Doubles Down on Women’s Football & Futsal with New Zealand Football Renewal

Ford New Zealand has reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone of women’s football in Aotearoa, announcing a renewed multi-year partnership with New Zealand Football (NZF). The deal extends Ford’s support across elite, domestic, and grassroots tiers, including naming rights for the Ford Football Ferns, the Ford Futsal Ferns, and the Ford Futsal SuperLeague, while expanding initiatives like the Ford Women in Leadership Programme.

Capitalizing on World Cup Momentum

The renewal arrives amid unprecedented growth in women’s football, with participation surging 27% since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Ford’s investment aims to solidify this momentum, ensuring resources flow from the international stage—where the Football Ferns will face Costa Rica in February friendlies—down to community clubs.

“Ford’s support allows us to build on the legacy of the World Cup,” said James Wear, NZF’s GM of Brand and Partnerships. “Their commitment to parity, like extending the Ford Futsal SuperLeague to match men’s and women’s formats, is transformative.”

Futsal’s Rising Star

Ford’s expanded role includes backing the Ford Futsal Ferns ahead of their historic FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup debut in the Philippines this November. The partnership also boosts the 2025 Ford Futsal SuperLeague, which will feature enhanced broadcast coverage via FIFA+, including multi-court livestreams.

“Futsal is exploding here,” added Wear. “Ford’s support gives these athletes a platform to inspire the next generation.”

Grassroots to Global Stages

The deal’s layered approach includes:

• Elite: Naming rights for the Football Ferns and Futsal Ferns.
• Domestic: Backing the women’s Dettol National League.
• Community: Funding leadership programs and grassroots initiatives targeting female coaches and administrators.

Cameron Thomas, Ford NZ’s Marketing Director, emphasized alignment with the brand’s ethos: “We’re proud to drive growth in a sport that unites communities. Seeing young girls aspire to be Ferns—that’s our ROI.”

Key Dates & Broadcasts

• Football Ferns vs. Costa Rica: Feb 23 & 26 (NZT), live from Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.
• 2025 Ford Futsal SuperLeague: Feb–April, with expanded FIFA+ coverage.

Analyst’s Take

Ford’s renewal is a masterstroke. By tying their brand to women’s football’s ascendancy, they’re investing in cultural relevance. The futsal focus is savvy—it’s fast, accessible, and aligns with urban youth trends. For NZF, this partnership secures stability amid a fragile post-World Cup financial landscape.

Final Thought: With Ford’s engine behind them, NZ’s women’s football and futsal programs are poised to accelerate—on and off the pitch.