Volkswagen Group Australia announces that in 2011, for the very first time, the Volkswagen Junior Masters football tournament will take place in Australia.

Volkswagen is calling for Under 12 boys’ club teams nationwide to register to play at the Junior Masters Australia which will be held in Sydney from 1-2 October 2011. Teams can register online at www.juniormastersaustralia.com.au.

Twenty teams will be selected to play at the Junior Masters Australia tournament where they will compete for the opportunity to represent Australia at the Volkswagen Junior World Masters 2012 to be held in Poland in May.

Volkswagen’s Managing Director, Anke Koeckler said the company had a rich history of supporting sport worldwide and first launched the Junior Masters in 1999.

“Australia is a great sporting nation, with a wealth of young talent ready to shine on the football world stage and I am delighted that Australia will be represented at the Junior World Masters 2012 in Poland,” said Koeckler.

“The aim of the Volkswagen Junior Masters is to recognise, nurture and inspire young footballers and search for a team which is at the centre of its local community. We are proud to be bringing this opportunity to Australia’s up and coming athletes in 2011 and beyond.”

What is The Volkswagen Junior Masters?
The Volkswagen Junior Masters is the Australian search to find a team to compete in the global World Junior Masters, a worldwide tournament which coincides with the professional footballing calendar. This year’s global final will take place in Poland in 2012, as excitement will be building ahead of Euro 2012.

Leading up to the Volkswagen World Junior Masters, more than 850 teams from over 20 countries will compete in individual national competitions to determine which club team will represent their home nation. The 2012 final will be the first time Australia has taken part in the competition, which has been running for 12 years.

20 under 12 boys’ club teams from across Australia, will compete in the national tournament, which will be played over two days on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of October 2011. The winning team will represent Australia at the Volkswagen Junior World Masters 2012.

How do teams enter?
Entries opened today via the website (www.juniormastersaustralia.com.au). U12 boys’ club teams nationwide are encouraged to register to compete at the Volkswagen Junior Masters national tournament in Sydney in October 2011.

Volkswagen is looking for teams that not only demonstrate great football skills, but also possess good sportsmanship, team spirit and are actively involved in the community to compete in the Volkswagen Masters National tournament in Sydney in October 2011.

What is the selection process?
Club teams eligible to complete can nominate themselves by completing an entry form consisting of:

-One team photo
-Team name
-One paragraph describing why the team deserves to be entered into the Volkswagen Junior Masters Australia. Include details of how your team actively helps out in your local community.
-Images that show the team both in action and out in the community

Entries can be completed online at www.juniormastersaustralia.com.au.
Entries close on Thursday 21st April at 5pm EST.

From the online registrations, 50 teams will be selected to progress to the second stage, based upon their entry. These teams will be asked to submit a short video displaying some key training skills, game situations and a few words from the team’s captain.

From these entries, twenty teams will be chosen to attend the Volkswagen Junior Masters in Sydney and compete for the opportunity to represent Australia the World Junior Masters 2012 in Poland.

What does the winning team of the Volkswagen Junior Masters receive?
The winning team of the Volkswagen Junior Masters will win an all expenses paid trip for the team (16 players) and two accompanying adults to travel and participate in the Volkswagen World Junior Masters 2012 in Poland.

For more information about the Volkswagen Junior Masters in Australia, visit: www.juniormastersaustralia.com.au

About the Volkswagen Junior World Masters
The Volkswagen Junior World Masters started in Germany, the home of Volkswagen, in 1999 and is now one of the biggest youth football competitions in the world. In 2012, the Volkswagen World Junior Masters will take place in Poland.

For more information about the Volkswagen Junior World Masters, visit: www.juniormasters.com