Sovereign Bank, a subsidiary of Santander Holdings USA, has agreed a platinum-level sponsorship deal with the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) which sees Santander become the official bank of the 2013 Gold Cup.

The deal began this week with a special soccer skills demonstration programme for over 350 inner city children in the US city of Boston. The multi-faceted agreement will also include the ‘Goals for Charity’ campaign, a programme linking goals scored at the tournament to community fund raising. The bank will donate US$500 for each goal scored at the tournament, as well as at every New England Revolution Major League Soccer game between now and October 17, up to a total of $50,000. Funds raised will be split between three Boston community organisations.

The 2013 Gold Cup will visit eight new venues and six new cities from July 7-28 as CONCACAF bids to expand the reach of the tournament in the United States. The US has staged all 11 editions of the biannual Gold Cup to date. Jorge Moran, Sovereign Bank president and chief executive officer, and Santander US country head, said: “As the world’s most popular sport, soccer is unique in its ability to unite people globally, and we’re looking forward to localising that impact through a meaningful giving campaign that directly supports the communities we serve. Sovereign and Santander will also present the Golden Boot trophy award to the top scorer at the end of the tournament.

Enrique Sanz, CONCACAF secretary general, added: “Santander’s longstanding commitment to support soccer globally with a specific focus on local community initiatives in the markets it serves makes it an ideal partner for the Gold Cup.”