CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – As the Women’s Soccer World Cup season picks up steam around the world, North Carolinians will get a special assist from world-renowned Olympic gold medalist, Mia Hamm. While fathers will be in the spotlight for most families this weekend, mothers and daughters will be the focal point of Mia who is teaming up with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) this summer. In collaboration with BCBSNC, Mia will serve as a ‘Live Fearless Ambassador’ to inspire soccer moms and their daughters to live their lives to the fullest in a healthy way.
“Women tend to make about 80 percent of their family’s health care decisions,[i]” said Reagan Greene Pruitt, director, brand strategy and marketing communications at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. “Our intent is to help North Carolina women make sure their health care decisions are well informed. And we can’t think of a better role model to get that message out than Mia Hamm.”
Joining the effort this weekend will be Mia’s fellow Tar Heels and National Soccer Hall of Famers Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini Hoch. The trio will join BCBSNC in hosting three local events to encourage North Carolinians to ditch the sidelines and get into the game by becoming more active.
Details about the three events, to be held in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Charlotte,
are listed in the next section.
Hamm, Lilly and Venturini Hoch played together at The University of North Carolina before winning gold on the 1996 Olympic soccer team. In 2010, the trio founded the Team First Soccer Academy – an organization dedicated to fostering healthier behaviors among young athletes – making them ideal ambassadors for BCBSNC, who has long advocated for similar goals as part of their Live Fearless campaign and other community-focused efforts.
“To me, living fearless is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and tackling new challenges,” said Mia Hamm. “It’s amazing to return to the place where I grew and developed and have the opportunity to mentor and inspire other people in our communities to be their best selves, whether that’s on or off the field.”
Live Fearless Soccer Clinics
Event Information and Media Availability
Youth Soccer Clinic – Raleigh
Sunday, June 21, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
WRAL Soccer Park, 7700 Perry Creek Rd, Raleigh, NC 27616
Mia, Kristine and Tisha will be available for media interviews from 4:00-4:30 pm
Girls between the ages of 8-12 who took BCBSNC’s Live Fearless pledge will join soccer players from local leagues who were recognized for their sportsmanship in a private coaching session with Mia, Kristine, and Tisha. Participants will work on technical skills, learn about healthy training and nutrition, and get player autographs during this experience of a lifetime.
Women’s World Cup Soccer Watch Party with Mia Hamm and Teammates
Monday, June 22, 6:00 pm – Open to the public
Southern Village Green, 620 Market Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Mia, Kristine and Tisha will be available for media interviews from 6:00-6:20 pm
Soccer enthusiasts of all ages can join Mia, Kristine, Tisha and BCBSNC for a Women’s Soccer World Cup watch party at the Southern Village Green. Bring family and friends to cheer alongside the three Olympic gold medalists and players from the Carolina Railhawks at this public event. Attendees will enjoy food and refreshments, a halftime show, an autograph signing with the players and more.
Youth Soccer Clinic – Charlotte
Tuesday, June 23, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Bailey Road Soccer Park, 11536 Bailey Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Mia, Kristine and Tisha will be available for media interviews from 4:00-4:30 pm
Girls between the ages of 8-12 who took BCBSNC’s Live Fearless pledge will join soccer players from local leagues who were recognized for their sportsmanship in a private coaching session with Mia, Kristine, and Tisha. Participants will work on technical skills, learn about healthy training and nutrition, and get player autographs during this experience of a lifetime.
The Live Fearless soccer clinics are co-sponsored by the Team First Soccer Academy, and BCBSNC. For more information, visit www.livefearlessnc.com or call the BCBSNC media line at 919-765-3005.
NEW MEDIA CONTENT:
Take the BCBSNC Live Fearless Pledge
https://livefearlessnc.com/pledge/
RSVP to the Women’s World Cup Soccer Watch Party on Facebook
BCBSNC on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/bcbsnc?fref=ts
BCBSNC on Twitter
PHOTOS:
[1] Women’s Soccer Olympic gold medalists Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tisha Venturini Hoch pose to promote events hosted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Team First Soccer Academy.
[2] Mia Hamm gets active with young soccer star hopefuls.
About BCBSNC:
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 3.91 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 BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
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.
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