EA Sports FC Sponsors Nautsa’mawt FC

League1 BC side Nautsa’mawt FC has announced a high-profile sponsorship deal with video game powerhouse EA Sports FC – also known as the FIFA franchise – which is sure to turn heads.

The big news stems from EA Sports FC’s launch of its FC Futures program, which sees the BC-based game developer invest in community-level football on a global scale, with Nautsa’mawt FC representing a first step that lands very close to home.

The corporation’s sponsorship will put EA Sports FC on the front of the club’s brand new kits, which can be seen below:

The League1 BC side is about to embark on its second-ever season, which will be its first under the monicker of Nautsa’mawt FC.

The team had been known as Varsity FC prior to its acquisition and subsequent rebranding by the Hope and Health For Life Society, who aim to increase access to sport for development and social impact opportunities with a focus on Indigenous youth.

Electronic Arts is quite a high-profile sponsor for a League1 BC team, with the videogame developer reporting some $7.14 billion USD in net bookings last year and stating that its footy franchise was a major revenue contributor, particularly through its card-based online FIFA Ultimate Team.

With EA Sports FC now in the midst of a rebrand – much like the team it sponsors – the company is instilling roots in its own backyard, though it still has yet to include the Canadian Premier League in its sporting franchise, something we’ve prodded about for a few years now.

In the meantime, however, it’s great to see such a large company invest in grassroots football, especially given what Nautsa’mawt FC aims to do.

The 2023 League1 BC season has seen them sign several Indigenous players, with this campaign now seeing eight teams in the mix with expanded playoffs.

“EA Sports FC is a symbol for a positive future of football, and that future will be built on providing young people with the access and tools necessary to follow their dreams,” said EA Sports’ VP of Brand Marketing, David Jackson. “We are looking forward to partnering with football organisations and icons across the globe to inspire the next generation of young football fans and grow their love of the game.”

Hope and Health co-founder and CEO Deana Gill said her organization was inspired by EA Sports and their vision to spark change at the grassroots level, adding that Nautsa’mawt DC aims to take meaningful steps for reconciliation through its ‘champions for life’ mentorship methodology.

Nautsa’mawt FC also announced Hope and Health’s existing partnership with Kw’umut Lelum will expand on their ongoing commitment as a founding partner of Hope and Health, too.

The 2023 League1 BC season will kick off on April 29, with Nautsa’mawt FC travelling to face reigning league champions TSS Rovers.