North Carolina Courage Teams with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Mia Hamm for Summer Soccer Clinics
Cary, N.C. (May 18, 2017) – Triangle-area girls will get the chance to fulfill one of their sports dreams by training with soccer stars from the North Carolina Courage and Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini Hoch from Team First Soccer Academy at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) Live Fearless Soccer Clinic on Sunday, August 20, 2017, at WRAL Soccer Park in Raleigh.
The past and present professional soccer players will provide an unforgettable day of learning new soccer skills, sharing healthy habits and encouraging each other to Live Fearless by being their best selves.
“The Live Fearless Soccer Clinic has become one of the high points for Team First Soccer Academy every summer,” said Hamm, a Blue Cross NC Live Fearless ambassador who won four NCAA national championships as a player on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s women’s soccer team. “And now we’re adding the North Carolina Courage as a partner, bringing some outstanding soccer players who can share their tips on sports, teamwork and self-confidence. I’m looking forward to another session of learning from one another – and just having fun!”
Clinic participants will be chosen from North Carolina FC Youth and YMCA of the Triangle soccer leagues for displaying excellent sportsmanship. Parents may also win a spot in the clinic for their daughter by registering online at PlayFearless.com by July 12 or by visiting the Blue Cross NC mobile experience at various events throughout North Carolina from May through the end of July.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for young players to learn from some of the best in women’s soccer past and present,” said North Carolina Courage President and GM Curt Johnson. “These athletes are excellent role models, on and off the field, and will provide the participants with valuable skills and a glimpse into the life of professional players. As the largest youth-to-professional soccer club in the country, we strive to partner with strong organizations such as Blue Cross NC to offer aspiring soccer players an opportunity to learn from the pros.”
For the third year of the Live Fearless Soccer Clinic, Hamm will again be joined by her fellow gold medalists and Women’s World Cup champions Lilly and Venturini and players from the North Carolina Courage. Girls attending the soccer clinic will receive a Nike t-shirt, soccer ball, autograph card and a photo with their soccer heroes.
“We are thrilled to bring this incredible experience back to the Triangle. Combining the North Carolina Courage stars with Mia, Kristine and Tisha will deliver unmatched soccer instruction from the best-of-best while gaining valuable life skills too,” said Reagan Greene Pruitt, Blue Cross NC Director of Brand Strategy and Integrated Marketing. “Live Fearless is all about being confident and taking chances knowing you have a team behind you every step of the way and this clinic truly embodies that spirit!”
The Live Fearless Soccer Clinic is sponsored by Blue Cross NC in collaboration with Team First Soccer Academy and the North Carolina Courage.
The Live Fearless Soccer Clinic will take place on Sunday, August 20, from 4-8pm at WRAL Soccer Park at 7700 Perry Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC 27616.
About North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage are a professional women’s soccer team that play in the NWSL (Women’s First Division). NC Courage, the reigning NWSL champion, play their home games at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC. For more information, please visit www.www.nccourage.com or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
About Team First Soccer Academy:
Team First Soccer Academy is dedicated to providing young soccer players the opportunity to develop as individual athletes within a disciplined and collaborative team environment. Founded in 2010 by Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and Tisha Venturini Hoch, Team First’s goal is to encourage players to respect the integrity of the game while continuing to nurture their love of soccer. With a combined five Olympic gold medals, five World Cup Championships, and 12 NCAA titles, this trio of highly decorated athletes hosts training camps across the United States in partnership with youth soccer clubs and academic organizations. In the history of competitive soccer, Hamm, Lilly, and Venturini Hoch are second to none because they always put the TEAM FIRST. To learn more about Team First Soccer Academy, visit teamfirstsocceracademy.com.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina improves the health and well-being of our customers and communities by providing innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.89 million members, including approximately 1 million served on behalf of other Blue Plans. Since 1933, we have worked to make North Carolina a better place to live through our support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. We have been recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute every year since 2012. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross online at bcbsnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
