EA SPORTS FC FUTURES announces partnership with UNICEF

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LONDON – May 22, 2024 – Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announced that 170,000 people were helped by the EA SPORTS FC FUTURES initiative in its first year and – in a further demonstration of its commitment to growing sports for all – unveils a new global programme, Namibia Futures, in partnership with UNICEF. This multi-year partnership will use the power of football to create lasting social change in Namibia and beyond, reaching over 46,000 children and young people, with an initial investment of £1.2 million.

In Namibia, half of children face multidimensional poverty which reduces opportunities for social mobility, increases the risk of exploitation and abuse and means that many girls, in particular, cannot complete their education. UNICEF is already working with partners in the country to provide accessible opportunities for girls to learn new social skills and vocational training to transform their prospects, often through sport. Through Namibia Futures, UNICEF will now reach an additional 46,000 young people in Namibia, helping them, through football and game-based training, realize their potential on and off the field.
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​“We are delighted to expand the partnership between our two organizations, following more than five years of successful collaboration between EA SPORTS and Soccer Aid for UNICEF”said Andrea HopelainGM and SVP of Publishing, EA SPORTS. “Through this program, we hope to make a significant impact on many young lives in Namibia, using the power of football and our EA SPORTS FC platform. »
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​ »There are 300 million adolescent girls in the world today. With the right resources, networks and opportunities, they could be the largest group of changemakers the world has ever seen.”said Jon SparkesChief Executive of the United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK). “Our new partnership with EA SPORTS FC, Namibia Futures, will help more than 46,000 Namibian teenagers build a better future on and off the football field. I would like to thank EA SPORTS FC for supporting children and helping UNICEF not only improve the physical well-being of adolescents, but also develop life skills that will help them transform their lives through our partnership.”
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​This year marks five years of an incredible partnership between EA SPORTS and Soccer Aid for UNICEF. United by the goal of protecting the game for children around the world, EA SPORTS has helped Soccer Aid for UNICEF raise almost £100 million to support UNICEF's transformative work.
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​Shane HorganManaging Director of Soccer Aid Productions, said: “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with EA SPORTS and deepen the extremely positive impact this relationship has already had on Soccer Aid for UNICEF. We are all extremely proud to be part of such important work, which we know will continue to improve the lives of children around the world.”
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​In a successful first year, FC FUTURES brought football to more than 170,000 children across six continents by:

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  • Develop and publish a library of 7 open access modules, in partnership with UEFA, of resources for young players and educators to use during training. These FC FUTURES ACADEMY modules are currently integrated into 54 national football associations and their coach education programs.
  • Supporting the creation and renovation of 11 courses around the world, from South London to Sydney.
  • Providing over 12,000 footballs to community clubs, coaches and children, along with other items including shoes, cones, bibs and more.
  • By partnering with multiple organizations, brands and charities, including UEFA Grassroots, Premier League, LA LIGA and now UNICEF, to make it all possible and deliver programs with lasting impact. ​
  • The awarding of the first FC FUTURES Hero Award to FC FUTURES Ambassador Ian Wright in recognition of his outstanding work in inspiring the world to love football, while pledging £10,000 to a football cause proximity of his choice.

“The first year of FC FUTURES has been very busy and immensely productive” , said James SalmonSenior Marketing Director of EA SPORTS FC. “We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished so far and we thank our partners, our ambassadors and all the remarkable local leaders who have helped bring FC FUTURES to life. There is still much to be done to support grassroots football on a global scale, but this collaborative effort will continue to ensure that our investment is felt by local communities around the world who will truly benefit from the power of football. »
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​ »As an FC FUTURES Ambassador, it is an honor to receive the inaugural FC FUTURES Hero Award and it is such a pleasure to see the progress the program has made over the past year »said Ian Wright, footballer, commentator and FC FUTURES ambassador. “I was extremely proud to be able to kick off the program by opening the first grassroots pitch, the Rocky & Wrighty Arena, at Turnham Academy in south London, the same place where I learned to play and love football when I was a child. It is very rewarding to see the impact this has had on young people, not only here in London, but around the world. »
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​In its second year, in addition to Namibia Futures, the FC FUTURES program will continue to launch new pitches, create and release more training modules, provide more playing equipment and expand its partnerships, so that FC FUTURES can continue to develop sport for all.

@nintendotown EA SPORTS FC™ FUTURES ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH UNICEF AND SHARE FIRST YEAR’S IMPACT #easportsfifa ♬ original sound – nintendotown

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