Bay FC midfielder, Dorian Bailey, right, is interviewed on Media Day by Ella Cochon, amateur soccer player and fan.

Front-of-kit partner Sutter Health celebrates launch with volunteer event to pack healthcare kits for women in underserved communities

SAN FRANCISCO – Bay FC, the new and only women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has debuted its inaugural home kit. Sutter Health, a leading Northern California-based not-for-profit integrated health system, stands as the Front-of-Kit Partner.

The kit, designed by Nike, is a unique opportunity for fans across the Bay Area to represent a hometown women’s professional team for the first time in over a decade. The kit features Sutter Health’s logo front and center, and the Bay FC logo on the top right-hand side along with the team’s inaugural season patch in the lower left.

The inaugural season patch is in the shape of a shield, which is a timeless and traditional shape in sports, honoring the love of the game as well as the legends who came before. The inclusion of stars within the patch typically represents a club’s championships, however, they were included to honor the champions of Bay FC’s club – co-founders Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne. All elements of the patch nod to the significance of women’s sports in the Bay Area, fan support, and the first-ever players representing the Bay.

“These kits represent not only the excitement of Bay FC becoming a reality, but the significance behind who is wearing them – which will be our trailblazing and talented players,” said Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart. “We are excited to provide the Bay Area an opportunity to wear a kit with professional female athlete’s names on their back adding to the incredible athletes who already call the Bay Area home.”

“Sutter Health is thrilled to support Bay FC’s elite athletes with a team of skilled physicians who will provide comprehensive medical and wellness care,” said Richard Gayle, MD, Sutter’s Bay FC Medical Team’s chief medical officer.

“It’s truly a moment of pride to see these incredible female athletes sporting the Sutter Health logo. We hope it sparks inspiration for girls and women in our communities. Whether it’s diving into soccer, exploring other sports, or even considering a path in healthcare, we want them to feel the endless possibilities,” said Jennifer Bollinger, Sutter Health chief consumer and brand officer.

As part of their five-year sponsorship deal, Bay FC and Sutter will invest in community health and wellness programs for young people – with an emphasis on young women. To commemorate the inaugural kit reveal, Bay FC and Sutter partnered to launch Bay FC’s Health and Wellness platform. Sutter staff packed kits with health care basics such as menstrual supplies, to be donated to women in underserved communities at community partners Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), Compass Family Services and Brighter Beginnings.

“Working with Bay FC to provide much-needed health care kits to women in need in our community is one of many projects in what we anticipate will be a successful and ongoing effort to connect with and support women in the Bay Area,” said Dr. Gayle.

Fans can submit their information here to be first on the list to order Bay FC kits when they are available for purchase in late February. Images can be downloaded here.

Bay FC kicks off its inaugural season in March 2024 at PayPal Park in San Jose. Tickets are now on sale for Bay FC’s inaugural season and new merchandise can be purchased at BayFC.com. Fans can also follow @wearebayfc on social channels for more exciting announcements to come.