The agreement sees Lucozade Sport become Official Sports Drink and Nutrition Supplier to the England Teams, providing their range of sports nutrition products and services to The FA’s 23 national teams, from the Men’s and Women’s senior teams to the youth and disability squads.

With top class players typically covering 10-13km in distance during competitive fixtures, Lucozade Sport’s scientifically formulated drinks and advanced nutrition will play an integral role in the preparation, performance and recovery of England internationals competing at the highest level.

The three-year relationship which runs to and through the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, also sees Lucozade Sport commit to supporting The FA’s ongoing mission to develop the game at all levels.

“To have teamed up with a respected sports brand like Lucozade Sport is a huge boost for The FA,” says Commercial Director Jonathan Hill.

“The experience and insights that Lucozade Sport has gained from working alongside players and coaches over many years has allowed them to develop and tailor sports nutrition and services for professional players and we are delighted that their expertise will now benefit our national teams.”

Recognising that football players need to operate at a high mental as well as physical intensity for the duration of a game, one of the latest Lucozade Sport drink formulas available to the national squads is Lucozade Sport with Caffeine Boost.

At critical moments during a game, a player’s ability to focus their mind can prove the difference between success and failure. Developed with Premier League Clubs, Lucozade Sport with Caffeine Boost helps fuel your muscles, hydrate your body and focus your mind, and can delay the onset of fatigue.

So players can maintain peak performance right up to the final whistle.

News of the new partnership has been warmly received by influential midfield engine and Lucozade Sport Ambassador Steven Gerrard who comments: “At all levels the game is becoming increasingly competitive so is vital that we are correctly fuelled for all training sessions and matches.

"Knowing that Lucozade Sport will be supplying us with the fluid and energy we need will let us concentrate on our performances.”

One of the first England teams to benefit from the new relationship is the Women’s senior team currently preparing for the forthcoming World Cup Finals in China. Hope Powell’s team will be using Lucozade Sport’s Hydrate performance drink formulation to help overcome the testing conditions of the tournament which kicks off for them against Japan in Shanghai this September.

A specialist drink mix containing a carefully selected balance of carbohydrate and sodium, Hydrate has been shown to be effective in enhancing fluid absorption and retention in hot and humid clients whilst also boosting carbohydrate stores.

Whether you’re a professional, Sunday League player or five-a-side fanatic, Lucozade Sport can help give you an edge on the pitch during training and matches.

To fully understand how the right nutrition can influence your performance and learn more about Lucozade Sport’s partnerships with leading clubs and governing bodies within the world of football, visit www.lucozade.com/football.