McDonald’s has withdrawn all of the awards from its franchises across Australia.

McDonald’s has withdrawn all of the awards from its franchises across Australia.

MCDONALD'S has scrapped its "Team Spirit Award" food vouchers for sporting groups after a Sunshine Coast parent complained it was "peddling junk food to kids".

David Hooper complained to the Obesity Policy Coalition after he noticed "smiling children holding Macca's vouchers" on a Facebook page of a basketball team, of which his children were enrolled.

The voucher, given to a player each week, offered a free small cheeseburger meal or seared snack wrap from any of the eight Sunshine Coast McDonald's franchises.

The Coalition took the complaint to the Advertising Standards Board, which determined on September 24 McDonald's was in breach of the Quick Service Restaurant Initiative for responsible advertising to children.

As a result, McDonald's has withdrawn all of these awards from its franchises across Australia.

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In its submission to the Advertising Standards Board, McDonald's wrote it was "disappointed to learn of the complaint in respect of a Team Spirit Award" and confirmed it was "no longer available".

The fast-food chain said it took it's "responsibility as an advertiser seriously".

Obesity Policy Coalition executive manager Jane Martin said this was the second time McDonald's had fallen foul of the rules.

"In July, a similar complaint was upheld by the ASB after McDonald's was found handing out vouchers for small fries to children at KidsTown Adventure playground near Shepparton in Victoria," Ms Martin said.

She said it cast "serious doubt over McDonald's commitment to the health of Australian children".

"McDonald's is seriously lacking team spirit by offering free Happy Meals to children," she said.

"To promote products that are very high in fat, sugar and salt at junior basketball sends a mixed message and is unfair on Australian children and their families."

She called on sports clubs to stop accepting sponsorship from McDonald's when it included their branding on sports' uniforms.

"We want to keep McDonald's out of children's sport," she said. We see this branding as marketing, but the Advertising Standards Board doesn't.

"It doesn't make sense to teach our children healthy lifestyles and then have them branded by McDonald's," she said.

"It is outrageous. Poor diet is the leading risk factor in Australia. One in four children has a weight problem."

Former Olympian and promoter of junior sport on the Sunshine Coast, Benny Pike has slammed the decision to remove the Team Spirit Award.

"I think it's ludicrous, there has got to be better things to be worried about.

"The way coaching is today, sometimes you use fast food as a thank you or an encouragement, and it's not as if that's their diet," Mr Pike said.

"It is political correctness gone too far. Having kids play sport is the most important ingredient," Mr Pike said.

"If your pat on the back is a McDonald's burger or a can of Coke, I don't see a problem," he said.

Sunshine Coast Councillor Peter Cox, whose 13-year-old son plays representative basketball, also couldn't understand what the fuss was about.

"I'd consider it to be a disappointing turn of events if one person's complaint means thousands of kids across the country miss out on a special achievement or recognition," he said.

"It's regarded as a treat if they have been exercising."