The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has announced a new deal with Foxtel, which will see the media company invest AUS$20 million (US$20.7 million) in soccer in the country, reports SportsPro. The investment will cover a variety of grassroots initiatives and also includes naming rights to the Foxtel All-Stars, a team made up of A-League stars which will play Manchester United in Sydney this July. Foxtel, which already broadcasts the A-League in Australia, will also title sponsor the national youth league.

Foxtel chief executive Richard Freudenstein said: "We at Foxtel believe participation in sport is a vital part of the Australian culture and we think we have an important role to play inspiring a new generation of football fans and players."

He added: "It's no secret that Foxtel is a huge supporter of Australian football. Since the inception of the Hyundai A-League in 2005, we have been committed to taking the game to the next level and our long association, along with our partner Fox Sports, has given our customers the best viewer experience in Australia."

David Gallop, the FFA's chief executive, said: "At the elite level, it's great to have Foxtel behind the A-League All Stars and backing the next generation of stars in the Foxtel National Youth League. Today marks another big step forward for football in Australia."

As part of the deal Foxtel will collaborate with New York Red Bulls star Tim Cahill on the Foxtel All Stars Ambition Program, a series of soccer clinics that will be offered free to 1,000 children across Australia.