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Bill Kral

Dalton Agency

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – February 15, 2006 – In an effort to support the city’s rapidly growing youth soccer movement, McDonald’s Restaurants of Gainesville has agreed to become the Gainesville Soccer Alliance’s (GSA) title sponsor until 2009. The GSA is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that promotes competitive youth soccer in Gainesville.

The partnership will begin immediately, with McDonald’s contributing $10,000 to the GSA for the Gator Showcase Tournament, a 92-team girl’s tournament to be held this weekend throughout Gainesville.

Curtis and Jackie Paris, owners of six McDonald’s Restaurants in Gainesville, are not only excited to be the title sponsor for this weekend’s tournament, but look forward to being major contributors to the overall growth and quality of the Gainesville soccer scene over the next several years.

"The GSA presented a great opportunity for McDonald’s to become more involved in our community, and we are extremely proud to sponsor and support the children and families who are part of this organization," Curtis said. "The tournament planning has been top-notch and we are anticipating thousands of visitors in Gainesville this weekend."

The Gator Showcase will feature more than 1,600 girls of different age and skill levels, with field locations including Kanapaha Park, Forrest Park, Citizen’s Park and the University of Florida’s soccer practice and rugby fields. As an added bonus for tournament participants, all players, coaches and families will receive free admission to a collegiate women’s soccer match between the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles to be held Saturday evening at 7 pm at Pressley Field on the UF campus. A special check presentation from McDonald’s to the GSA will be held during halftime.

Alan Womack, tournament director for the Gator Showcase, is amazed by the rapid growth of this soccer event.

"We’ve gone from having 44 teams last year to an astounding 92 teams this year with representation from all over the Southeast," said Womack. "A lot of talented, young players are going to have a great opportunity to see the UF campus - and I’m sure our numbers will continue to grow now that we have McDonald’s on board and we approach the completion of our new soccer complex at Jonesville Park."

The Jonesville Park complex, a premier, six-field soccer park located on 241 North in Gainesville, is the future sight of the 2007 Gator Showcase and is scheduled to be completed by September 2006. Jonesville Park is a $750,000 partnership between Alachua County and the GSA, with facilities that include concessions, public restrooms and parking lots.

McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 restaurants serving nearly 47 million people in more than 120 countries each day. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women. For nutritional information, please visit www.mcdonalds.com.