D.C. United welcomed its Barclays Premier League partner Sunderland AFC to Washington, D.C., this week, the first visit since the two clubs announced the formation of their official relationship in August 2014. As part of that agreement, the two clubs share best practices on both the technical and commercial sides of the respective operations.
On Wednesday, Jan. 23, the Black-and-Red and Black Cats held an exclusive gathering for over 150 guests, from various business sectors to government officials, in the Rotunda of the British Embassy in Northwest Washington. It was the first official presentation of the two clubs together and offered partners, businesses and media in attendance the opportunity to find out more about the partnership between the clubs.
The two cities of Sunderland and Washington, D.C., already hold a city friendship agreement and the partnership between the two clubs is helping to strengthen the warm relationship that exists.
“The special connections between the District of Columbia and Sunderland help to make this partnership unique,” said Tom Hunt, D.C. United Chief Operating Officer. “As we continue to build our relationship, we are finding that there are many opportunities and shared ambitions for D.C. United and Sunderland AFC that will benefit both clubs on and off the field.”
“We are certainly starting to see an impact on our international profile, with interest in football in the U.S. continuing to grow at an exceptional rate – in particular interest in the Barclays Premier League, which is at an all-time high,” said Gary Hutchinson, Sunderland AFC Commercial Director. “Through the club’s reach as part of the Barclays Premier League, we are able to help promote D.C. United in over 200 countries, to a cumulative audience of 4.2 billion. In turn D.C. United are helping to increase Sunderland’s presence across the vast American continent.” The following afternoon, D.C. United and Sunderland legend and Senior Professional Development Coach Kevin Ball hosted a clinic at Ketcham Elementary School on Capitol Hill (see the video recap above).
Ball spoke to the students about Sunderland, his experience as a player and the importance of staying active, fit and living a healthy lifestyle and took some questions himself before joining United staff and United Soccer Club coaches to lead passing, dribbling, stretching and other activities.
“At Sunderland AFC, we are highly committed to using our abilities to work and engage with communities in not only the UK but also abroad,” Ball said, who made over 300 appearance for Sunderland during his playing career. “Football is a global language and through the power of football, we can influence people and educate them. We invest hugely in the community and through the club’s charity, the Foundation of Light, we work with over 42,000 people across the North East each year, not mentioning our community work across Africa, Asia, Europe and now the US.”
There is more to look forward to in the coming months following positive talks by both clubs, with D.C. United officials expected to visit Sunderland in the near future.
