Since its inception, FC Olympia has cultivated a grassroots community of fans and sponsors who have worked together to bolster path-to-pro soccer in the South Sound. According to Ryan Perkins, principal owner of FC Olympia, it is an extensive effort to ensure the club is able to operate at full capacity, whether securing athletic facilities or retaining vital personnel like coaches and trainers, and the club’s success is only possible through active community participation.
FC Olympia Invites New Sponsors, With Opportunities to Fit a Range of Budgets
From the club’s initial launch in 2014, FC Olympia has grown significantly, and under the club’s umbrella are teams that play for the USL W League and USL League Two, as well as the Evergreen Premier League and Cascadia Premier League. Sponsorship is a vital form of support for the club, helping to cover major team expenses so that the club can continue to provide top-notch local soccer, while also generating opportunities for young athletes.
Sponsorship of FC Olympia is open to any business or organization looking to strengthen the local path-to-pro soccer community, and options are available to meet budgets of any size, including sponsorship of game day programs and roster announcements. Perkins says roster releases are particularly popular posts through pregame social media channels, as many fans want to know which players will be taking the field.
Local businesses and organizations may also take on season-long opportunities, including as a title jersey sponsor, warmup sponsor or travel sponsor. Businesses and organizations interested in sponsorship can also envision new ways to get involved. This can include printing special promotions on match tickets, branded giveaways at games or hosting fundraising events at local restaurants, cafes, bars and breweries. According to Perkins, athletic teams like FC Olympia can also be a driver of the local economy, uniting the community around a common interest, and directing additional attention toward local businesses and vendors.
Those wanting to support young athletes and local youth sports may also be interested in sponsoring the club’s nonprofit extension, the Oly Soccer Foundation. The foundation helps provide openings for children and families in need to participate in regional soccer recreation and activities, including no-cost tickets for children who attend FC Olympia games. Perkins says youth soccer training is also made more attainable through the foundation, by providing scholarships and tuition assistance for youth soccer camps, including those with USL path-to-pro athletes and support staff.
Strong Social Media Presence Helps FC Olympia Sponsors to Increase Their Reach
For FC Olympia, media production and social media are key avenues to communicate with fans, share important information and broadcast games, and sponsors play an important role in the club’s digital footprint. According to Perkins, sponsorship opportunities have evolved in recent years as the club has joined the USL, and with increased attention across Thurston County, Western Washington and beyond, there are new avenues for digital advertising and marketing during matches and online.
Apparel sponsors may have their logo showcased during matches, or during interviews with team coaches and players. FC Olympia matches can be live streamed through NBC’s Sports Engine Play and through the FC Olympia YouTube channel. Sponsors may also be highlighted as the team travels throughout Washington State, Oregon, California and beyond, including on shuttles and travel-related social media posts. FC Olympia also produces a series for the club’s social media that helps to illustrate the story of the club and regional sponsors.
According to Perkins, FC Olympia has a strong social media presence, including 21,000 followers across their online platforms, including Instagram, Facebook and the club’s email list, and many passionate fans of FC Olympia and regional athletics are also interested in purchasing from local businesses that are actively involved with community interests. And in this world of local grassroots soccer, there are also avenues for networking, including potential clients connecting with businesses, and businesses fostering partnerships with other businesses.
Longtime FC Olympia Sponsor, Well 80 Brewhouse, Supports Local Soccer Community
Well 80 Brewhouse has been a longtime sponsor and strong proponent of FC Olympia, including as an ongoing title jersey sponsor for the club. Chris Knudson, owner of Well 80 Brewhouse, is excited about the expansion of regional soccer, especially through FC Olympia which gives athletes an additional outlet to play and advance their athletic careers. Knudson has also been proud to see the evolution of FC Olympia over the years, including the expansion into the USL W League and USL League Two.
“I want to support the growth of the sport in our community, and that starts with organizations like the Artesians,” says Knudson. “The club provides young players the opportunity to continue playing a high level of competitive soccer after their youth soccer days are over. This sort of thing wasn’t an option for me or other players in their late teens and early twenties around here 20 years ago. So supporting the club is a no-brainer for me.”
To learn more about the club’s teams, upcoming games and events for FC Olympia, visit the FC Olympia website. Local businesses, organizations or individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities with FC Olympia can learn more on the FC Olympia website.
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