From the Top: Eugene Arocca

North Melbourne has announced that Mazda have extended their partnership with the club to become the full major sponsor for 2009.

Chairman James Brayshaw said that the Mazda partnership was of great importance to the club.

"Mazda have been amazing supporters of this football club over a long period of time, and now they are investing more in North Melbourne than ever before," Brayshaw said.

"This is the biggest sponsorship in the history of this football club, and it will help us achieve our aim of playing all 11 home matches in Melbourne next year, which has not happened since 1997.

"This club and its members have every reason to get behind Mazda.  They are a strong brand for us to be aligned with, an iconic brand that continues to grow, and we will be doing absolutely everything we can to promote them and grow with them. 

"We could not be more thrilled with this partnership and with Mazda's commitment to the future of the North Melbourne Football Club."

Mazda Managing Director Doug Dickson said the decision to continue Mazda's support of the Kangaroos was an easy one to make.

"Mazda has been a proud supporter of the North Melbourne Kangaroos since 1999, and it gives us great pleasure to see this mutually beneficial relationship enter its tenth year."

"Mazda's relationship with the North Melbourne Football Club has proven itself to be beneficial for the long term exposure of the Mazda brand."

Mr Dickson applauded the Kangaroos' performance on-field in 2008.

"They had their doubters at the start of the year, but the Kangaroos' performance on the field clearly showed that they are a team with a bright future.

"The Kangaroos have forged a reputation as one of the toughest teams on the field, and their solid work ethic and sportsmanship sets them apart as role models for the younger generation.

"The North Melbourne Kangaroos exemplify the hard-but-fair spirit in which the modern game is played, and Mazda is proud to continue our association with them."