Essendon Football Club is delighted to announce its longest serving Commercial Partner, Yakult Australia, has committed to the Club for the 2014 season.

Yakult’s association with the Club stretches back to 2004 and, along with branding on the match ball and other more traditional sponsorship benefits, has provided numerous experiences for Essendon Football Club players, coaches and staff to visit Yakult executives at their head office in Tokyo, Japan.

The opportunity to work closely with Yakult’s Australian operations, as well as visit the global headquarters in Japan, has led to the entire Club enjoying a strong affiliation with the organisation.

Essendon Chairman Paul Little welcomed the official announcement of Yakult’s ongoing association with the Club.

"The loyalty and dedication Yakult has shown to our football club has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Little said.

“More than a sponsorship, the Club feels a genuine partnership with Yakult and we look forward to continuing this relationship into its tenth year in 2014.

“In particular, we thank Yakult Australia Managing Director Mr. Kenji Ono and Director, Sales and Corporate Affairs David Whatley for their passion and commitment and we call upon all of the Essendon family to support those Partners that support the Club.’

Yakult Australia Managing Director Mr. Kenji Ono said

“At Yakult we believe in partnership. Over the past 9 years we have admired Essendon for the work it does to benefit the community.”

“Similarly, our partnership is a way of giving back to the community from which we make a living. Sponsors may come and go, but partners stay the course, particularly when times are tough.”

“We are pleased to further extend our partnership with Essendon as it begins a process of redemption. We would encourage all supporters, members and commercial partners to do likewise.”