Colorado Rapids and UCHealth in a long-term deal to promote wellness

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Colorado Rapids
Image credit: Colorado Rapids

The Colorado Rapids have confirmed UCHealth as their official shirt sponsor through to the 2029 Major League Soccer season.

A locally based health system, UCHealth has also overseen the launch of Ready. Set. CO., a new initiative to help re-establish Colorado as the healthiest US state.

UCHealth’s logo is set to be displayed on the front of all the Rapids’ First Team shirts and training tops, academy jerseys and select Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club jerseys. The prominent display of the logo serves as a statement of their joint commitment to encourage the community and club partners to lead healthy lives.

UCHealth is a not for profit organisation based in Colorado, with employees all across southern Wyoming and western Nebraska. The company prides itself in providing innovative and dedicated patient care in more than 150 clinic locations in the Rocky Mountains West, improving health care through pioneering treatments and clinical trials.

The partnership will bolster UCHealth’s reach in the local community – through events, health and wellness offerings, and education and content development. Alongside the Rapids and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the company is also set to announce additional community health investments through Ready. Set. CO., to generate more opportunities for locals to live healthier.

UCHealth’s medical director of health equity and associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Abigail Lara, stated via press release:

“Partnering with the Rapids and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to launch this initiative allows us another opportunity to connect with Coloradans to truly impact the health of our state,” she said.

Furthermore, Colorado Rapids executive VP and general manager, Pádraig Smith, added via press release:

“The Rapids are committed to being the heartbeat of sport in Colorado so we couldn’t be more excited to partner with a local organisation like UCHealth who is not only invested in the well-being of our community, but who has also shown a long-standing support of Colorado Sports,” he said.

“This announcement marks a significant day for our club, as the partnership will provide a foundation for both of our organizations to drive healthy living initiatives with our fans and our community.”

The club is set to debut their new sponsor in late February, in the first game of the 2023 MLS season against the Seattle Sounders.

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Football Victoria Begins New Era under Unified Structure

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Image credit: Rachel Bach/By The White Line

Following an announcement made on Tuesday by Football Victoria, seven former Associations will now be brought under a new model aimed at uniting clubs across the state. 

The move comes after engaging with regional clubs and volunteers in the 2023-24 Regional Football Review, the results of which helped to form a new model aimed at improving support for clubs, streamlining administration, and making Victorian football more connected going forward.

Who Will be Affected? 

Seven regions will now be brought under the umbrella of Football Victoria, including: 

  • FV Greater Ballarat (formerly Ballarat District Soccer Association)
  • FV Greater Bendigo (formerly Bendigo Amateur Soccer League)
  • FV Gippsland (formerly Gippsland Soccer League) 
  • FV Latrobe Valley (formerly Latrobe Valley Soccer League)
  • FV Shepparton (newly formed) 
  • FV South West (formerly South West Victoria Football Association)
  • FV Sunraysia (formerly Football Federation Sunraysia)

These seven former Associations will join FV Geelong, who has been a part of the FV family since 2010. 

Why Has the New Model Been Introduced? 

By bringing the majority of clubs in Victoria under a united model, players and volunteers alike will benefit hugely from streamlined administrative support and improved pathways. 

Although these regions will now become a part of the Football Victoria banner, they will nevertheless be granted the ability to maintain their community identity. To ensure that this objective is realised effectively, Regional Advisory Panels will collaborate with Football Victoria, alongside the help of a Regional Football Team who will help to carry out a smooth transition for the regions involved in the change.

FV CEO, Dan Birrell, has expressed his excitement for the developments and the positive impact they will have on the future of Victorian football. 

“Our regions have always played a wonderful and defining role in shaping football in Victoria. We are excited to honour that legacy while working side-by-side to build the next chapter – one that strengthens connections and creates a more unified and sustainable future for football across the state,” he said via press release.

How Does the Model Align with the 2023/24 Regional Football Review?

The review aimed to analyse previous reports, the current operating model, feedback from stakeholders and best practice governance models in sports to form recommendations which would be most beneficial to the future administration, development and overall experience of Victorian football. 

The ten fundamental recommendations found within the Regional Football Review were: 

  1. Professionalising the regional development workforce 
  2. Committing to the long-term service delivery to regional football 
  3. Re-aligning resources to ensure effective administration and advocacy 
  4. Consolidating the core functions of the Associations 
  5. Protecting the assets and history of the Associations 
  6. Standardising competition delivery 
  7. Aligning disciplinary processes 
  8. Increasing youth engagement through school programs 
  9. Improving access to play, coach and referee pathways 
  10. Delivering the annual Country Championships 

Therefore, bringing the former Associations under the banner of Football Victoria is the first essential step towards a more streamlined, professionalised and unified football structure designed to distribute resources fairly across clubs in the state of Victoria. Behind the model is not only the desire to improve efficiency off the pitch, but to ensure that players, coaches and referees have a future in the long-term development of Victorian football. 

Playing for the Future

The new model represents an exciting new era for Football Victoria, as well as for fans, players and staff associated with the changes due to come into effect in 2026. Ballarat Regional Advisory Panel Chair, Lucy Brennan, has backed the move as immensely positive for the region’s footballing future. 

“As a past player and coach, I could not be more excited to help provide these opportunities for the Ballarat Football Region and look forward to the support, input and discussion to ensure we are setting our region up for success now and in the future,” she said via press release. 

As Australia looks to develop football across the country, laying secure foundations within the state for current and future participants is an important first step. With an aligned and sustainable footballing structure, fans and clubs can remain optimistic about nurturing the next generation of Victorian talent and providing accessible pathways for all to achieve their sporting ambitions.

ESPORTS Takes Over Gold Coast International Futsal Challenge Cup 2026

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Supplied by Gold Coast Futsal Challenge Cup

Get ready to level up! From 19–24 January 2026, the Gold Coast International Futsal Challenge Cup will feature an electrifying ESPORTS experience at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre (Tallebudgera Room – Level 1).The ESPORTS League is designed for clubs and academies to grow participation by offering a tournament for non-traditional futsal players. Clubs can extend their teams with dedicated ESPORTS players, hold trials for each age group, and create tournament entry packages – boosting their profile, increasing revenue streams, and developing ongoing league engagement.

Gamers will compete in four high-energy competitions: EAFC26, Rocket League, F1 Simulation Racing, and VR Beat Saber. Leagues will run across age groups from 8s to Opens, including Girls Leagues. Each league features round-robin play, semi-finals, bronze medal playoffs, and finals. Gold medal winners earn the right to compete in an “ALL IN” knockout league to be crowned GCI ESPORT Champion.

A professional shout caster will bring every match to life, ensuring non-stop excitement. Entry has been reduced from $90 to just $50, granting access to all competitions. Registered futsal teams can also enter one ESPORTS player at no additional cost.

Spaces are strictly limited. Compete, connect, and celebrate gaming while growing your club’s presence.

Secure your spot now: https://form.jotform.com/243362571535053

Gold Coast International Futsal Challenge Cup – ESPORTS Team

Game on!

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