Hope And Health Acquires Varsity FC

League1 BC side Varsity FC has undergone a change of ownership.

The semi-professional club has announced that UBC Athletics has transferred ownership of Varsity FC to Hope and Health For Life Society, who will operate the League1 BC club under its pre-existing licensing agreement with BC Soccer.

Further club announcements are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The Point Grey-based club finished as the regular season champion for both the men’s and women’s divisions, with the latter going on to represent League1 BC at the first-ever League1 Canada Women’s Inter-Provincial Championship.

Hope and Health states that UBC Athletics will remain an active partner to the club, where it will continue to provide personnel and infrastructure. Varsity FC will still call Thunderbird Stadium home for 2023.

The Hope and Health For Life Society aims to increase access to sport for development and social impact opportunities with a focus on Indigenous children and youth. Pacific FC head coach James Merriman is on the executive board.

“We thank UBC Athletics for the support provided to all players, coaches, and fans in 2022 and we look forward to welcoming the new ownership group into the League1 BC family,” said BC Soccer Director of Operations Gabriel Assis. “We are pleased to accept an organization that is committed to the vision of the league and our vision to support all reconciliation efforts for Indigenous Communities in BC.”

Varsity FC isn’t the only semi-professional side to undergo a change of ownership this year, with League1 Ontario’s Guelph Union making a similar transition.

The 2023 League1 BC season will see the introduction of Harbourside FC in Nanaimo.

Fans interested in learning more about Hope and Health Society For Life can do so here.