RICHMOND, VA – (Friday, April 3, 2015) – The Richmond Kickers and Bon Secours Richmond Health System jointly announced a historic, multi-year partnership that will commence with the 2015 season. As the Official Healthcare Services Provider of the Richmond Kickers, Bon Secours brings a full spectrum of high-quality sports medicine care and services to both the Kickers professional team and youth players, including concussion awareness and management, orthopedic care, sports performance services, physical therapy, safety education and injury prevention practices.
“Bon Secours is proud to partner with the Richmond Kickers to help the organization continue their success in working to build a stronger community,” commented John Turner, Vice President of Bon Secours Health System Orthopaedic Institute and Sports Medicine.
With a shared vision of serving the community, the Kickers and Bon Secours will collaborate to implement the partnership across all levels of the Kickers nationally renowned club model. Committed to keeping athletes and the community safe and healthy, both on and off the field, the top-notch medical and training professionals will provide support and expertise for all sports-related injuries. A dedicated injury hotline (281-TEAM) will offer Kickers youth players immediate access to Certified Athletic Trainers who can recommend next steps for world class medical care, potentially including same-day or next-day appointments.
Also as part of the multi-year, interactive partnership, Bon Secours will contribute annually to the Richmond Kickers Youth Soccer Club Scholarship Fund, which allows children of all ages and skill levels to participate in club programs, regardless of socio-economic barriers. The Bon Secours iconic fleur-de-lis logo and wordmark will be featured on the back of the Kickers professional team uniforms as well as strategically placed branding on youth apparel, while high profile signage revitalizes City Stadium and Ukrop Park.
“We are proud to align the entire Kickers organization with a vibrant community steward such as Bon Secours,” commented Ben Terry, Richmond Kickers Director of Sales. “Their commitment to serving the healthcare needs of the entire greater Richmond region is incredibly important to our Club, providing our athletes of all ages and skill levels – as well as our fans – with access to a broad array of critical medical services. We are fortunate to have our professional team and youth players in the hands of such highly skilled and dedicated professionals.”
Joining the full-time medical staff is Cherish Nash, a Bon Secours Athletic Trainer who has provided support for the Kickers’ pro team since 2007. Accompanying her on the sidelines at Kickers pro games will be one of two Bon Secours primary care sports medicine doctors, Jeff Roberts, M.D. or Rishi Bala, M.D.
About Bon Secours Virginia Health System
Bon Secours Virginia provides good help to thousands of Virginians through a network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, ambulatory care sites and continuing care facilities across the Commonwealth. The not-for-profit health system employs more than 12,500 people, including nearly 800 providers as part of the Bon Secours Medical Group.
The fourth largest and only faith-based health system in Virginia, Bon Secours Virginia offers a full range of services including cardiac, women’s, children’s, orthopaedics, oncology, neurosciences and surgery at eight award-winning hospitals.
- Bon Secours Richmond is St. Mary’s Hospital, Memorial Regional Medical Center, Richmond Community Hospital, Rappahannock General Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center.
- Bon Secours Hampton Roads is Maryview Medical Center, DePaul Medical Center and Mary Immaculate Hospital.
About Bon Secours Virginia Health Care Foundation
The Bon Secours Virginia Health Care Foundation raises charitable funds to help Bon Secours Virginia Health System address the community’s growing health care needs with compassion and excellence. Through charitable support, we are dedicated to helping create healthy communities, advancing clinical innovation and providing an extraordinary experience of care. For more information on giving, visit www.bsvaf.org.
About the Richmond Kickers
Established in 1993, the Richmond Kickers have consistently been one of the most successful professional soccer clubs in America. Over the past 22 seasons, Richmond has qualified for postseason play 20 times, making eight Championship appearances while earning four national titles. Today, over 8,000 soccer players participate in programs sponsored by the Richmond Kickers and partner clubs. The Kickers provide opportunities for players of all abilities and unites soccer in the Central Virginia community while providing a clear pathway from youth to pro for aspiring young players.
