Multi-year program aims to elevate, expand Bay Area community health and wellness initiatives

SAN FRANCISCO – In a significant step toward promoting women’s health and sports, Bay FC, the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), and Sutter Health, a leading California-based not-for-profit health system and front-of-kit and Founding Partner of Bay FC, today unveiled the  “B You” community health and wellness initiative. This program aims to tackle prevalent barriers in sports that affect young women’s participation and wellbeing.

The “B You” initiative is designed to address common barriers that can keep young women from continuing to play sports – mental health, injury prevention and recovery, girls’ health, and body positivity. These challenges will be addressed through local soccer clinics, community donations, a social content series, and educational programs across the Bay Area.

“Connecting with the youngest members of our communities via health education and showcasing an active lifestyle is paramount to our success as a club,” said Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart. “The “B You” platform is another great way to integrate our players, coaches, and staff even deeper into the community and help connect with our incredible fan base here in the Bay Area.”

“Sutter Health is proud to present the “B You” clinics series with Bay FC,” said Jennifer Bollinger, Sutter’s chief consumer and brand officer. “We’re seeing lingering effects of the pandemic on young female athletes including decreasing rates of sports participation, declining physical and mental health and lower academic achievement. That’s why Sutter is thrilled to collaborate with Bay FC to offer these young athletes access to elite soccer training along with essential health and wellness resources to empower and inspire them on and off the field.”

Details of the “B You” Initiative

To address the barriers, Bay FC and Sutter are offering key initiatives including:

Summer-long clinic series focused on mental health, injury prevention and recovery, girls’ health, and body positivity.

• • “B You” clinics will include a mix of Sutter professionals, Bay FC players, and community partners. Each clinic participant will receive fun and educational giveaway items aimed at continuing the learned abilities beyond the clinic. Participants’ parents and guardians will also be educated at clinics on respective themes to lay the foundation for parent and player to discuss and practice skills at home.
  • Additional clinic dates throughout the summer will be listed on Bay FC’s community page.

Community Support: Donation of $5,000 to each community partner participating in “B You” clinics throughout the summer, with a total contribution of up to $20,000 allowing local organizations to continue the invaluable work they contribute to the Bay Area community.

Youth Engagement: Providing inspiration and access to young student athletes to learn and hear from the professional athletes they look up to via Bay FC’s Youth Reporter content series featuring Bay Area youth. The summer clinic series will provide student reporters the opportunity to interview Bay FC’s players and staff on how they relate to each of the “B You” platform themes.

• • Bay FC hosted the first Youth Reporter series in April – video can be found HERE.

Fan Engagement: During every home match, Bay FC’s FanFest and Sutter Health’s fan activation area provides matchday giveaways aligning with the “B You” platform themes, including the “Never Stop Juggling” contest which provides people the opportunity to interact with player quote cards, affirmation cards and educational materials. Fans can also stop by to learn about Sutter’s services and how Sutter cares for our community.