Bay FC, the professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), took time off the field to make a meaningful impact in the community ahead of their highly anticipated home opener. Players Racheal Kundananji, Jamie Shepherd, Taylor Huff, and Maddie Moreau visited Sutter Health’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center to meet new mothers and their babies, spread joy, and provide special kits in celebration of Women’s Empowerment Month.
During their visit, the players also spent time with patients recovering from orthopedic surgeries, offering words of encouragement and sharing their own experiences as elite athletes.
“We were really excited to welcome Bay FC elite athletes to Mills-Peninsula Medical Center,” said Mills-Peninsula CEO Darian Harris. “We brought joy, excitement, and helped with the recovery for some amazing new mothers as well as some of our orthopedic surgery patients.”
The experience was part of Bay FC’s ongoing community engagement efforts, made possible through their partnership with Sutter Health. The players took the opportunity to connect with patients on a personal level, recognizing that healing extends beyond the physical.
“Whether you are a world-class clinician, caregiver, or a world-class Bay FC athlete, one thing we know and appreciate is that healing is not just physical,” Harris added. “It is mental, emotional, and spiritual.”
Huff, reflecting on the experience, emphasized the meaningful interactions with patients.
“It was great to be at Sutter Health and visit the patients,” Huff said. “They made my day, just as much as I hope I made their day. Having the opportunity to give back in this way was so special for all of us that participated.”
As part of their visit, the players also distributed kits featuring Bay FC’s newly designed jersey, created in collaboration with Nike. The kit, a tribute to the resilience and unity of the Bay Area, features an obsidian base symbolizing strength and confidence, with bold poppy accents. The nine alternating stripes on the design represent the Bay Area’s diverse landscapes and the nine counties that make up the region, reflecting its unique blend of cultures, histories, and communities.
Bay FC’s visit to Mills-Peninsula served as a reminder of the team’s commitment to uplifting the community both on and off the field. Fans can look forward to seeing them in action Saturday, March 22, at 7 p.m. for their home opener at PayPal Park.
