KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Regional office for Toyota Motor Sales USA announced today that Toyota has become the Official Vehicle for the Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota State Soccer Associations. The sponsorship includes a variety of event and promotional opportunities designed to reach youth soccer participants and families during the fall and spring soccer seasons.
Toyota's Kansas City Region encompasses 75 Toyota dealers in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The Midwest State Soccer Associations, covering the same regional footprint and marketing area as Toyota, have combined to register more than 100,000 participating soccer players. Core participant demographics cover youth soccer players ages 6-19 years old, with some States also including amateur and adult soccer leagues for participants 20 years and older.
"Having the opportunity to bring Toyota together with thousands of registered soccer players throughout the Midwest is just one of the many benefits that our association with the Kansas City Wizards has been able to provide" stated Harold Kahler, Director of the Iowa State Soccer Association. "Having great corporate partners like Toyota only grows our ability to communicate the message about who we are and how anyone can become involved in soccer in their local market."
Toyota will receive the benefits of having one primary soccer tournament held in each State, named the 'Toyota Cup'. Youth soccer players and family members attending the tournaments will be able to interact with local dealers at on-site vehicle display areas. The agreement also allows Toyota dealers in selected markets to host "Soccer Education Clinics" coordinated by each State Soccer Association coaching staff.
"With this agreement, Toyota sees a great opportunity to show our support to youth soccer and reach a large portion of our target demographic," said Tom Superits, Toyota Motor Sales - Regional Marketing Manager. "We look forward to giving our dealers many great opportunities to reach out to the families by providing community support for an activity they participate in on a regular basis."
Sponsorship of the Midwest State Soccer Associations expands Toyota's vast array of sports marketing ventures, which also included becoming the Official Vehicle of USA Swimming earlier this year.
The Kansas City Wizards currently provide marketing services for the Midwest State Soccer Associations, including access to tournaments, direct mail newsletters, website, and other interactive events. For more information contact Ryan Haas with the Kansas City Wizards (816) 920-4737, Tom Superits with Toyota Motor Sales USA regional office (816) 746-2191, or Harold Kahler representing the Midwest State Soccer Associations (515) 252-6363 ext. 3.
