- Five-year partnership extension with founding partner UC Davis Health is the longest agreement in club history, almost doubling term of relationship
- Two organizations have worked side by side since 2014 to foster a healthy community and celebrate healthcare heroes and patients
- A new youth wellness program – Strive for 45 – will promote healthy eating and exercise habits for kids with weekly programming
- Superhero Night, presented by UC Davis Health, returns to Heart Health Park on September 29, driving awareness and support for people and families impacted by childhood cancer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, Republic FC and founding partner UC Davis Health announced an extended partnership rooted in community wellness and highlighting the indomitable spirit of the Sacramento region. With a five-year agreement in place, the deal is the longest-term contract in the club’s history. Since the Republic FC’s inaugural 2014 season, UC Davis Health has served as the team’s kit partner and the exclusive medical provider for the first team. The renewed partnership will focus on growing the impact of the two organizations’ decade-long collaboration, introducing new programs and initiatives that expand to reach new residents in Sacramento.
“Since our founding, UC Davis Health has been an exceptional partner that fully embraces and exemplifies the core values of our club,” said Republic FC President and General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We’re proud to build on the success we’ve seen on and off the field over the past decade and are looking forward to working together over the next five years to cultivate a healthier region for years to come.”
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Sacramento Republic FC,” said Dr. Joseph Galante, Interim Chief Medical Officer at UC Davis Medical Center. “Our shared commitment to our region and the well-being of our community members is paramount. As we witness another thrilling season with the team, we are equally excited to engage with fans to advance community health initiatives. Together, we’ll continue to strive towards a healthier and more vibrant community.”
Building on a 10-year history, the partners will launch a new program focused on addressing the region’s childhood obesity epidemic. Combining UC Davis Health’s nutrition expertise and Republic FC’s activity programming, “Strive for 45” – inspired by the goal of exercising 45 minutes a day – will work directly with the region’s children to promote healthy, sustainable habits and empower individuals to act as advocates for healthy change.
Strive for 45 will launch as a pilot program this Spring at five regional Title I schools where at least 40% of enrollment is made up of children from low-income families. Weekly physical education class takeovers with specially programmed youth soccer clinics, nutritional education, and more resources for students will be combined with a pedometer to help remind kids to keep active. With the pedometers as a baseline, the club and UC Davis Health will be able to examine activity and change the program to continue to encourage activity daily.
On matchday, the Halftime Strive for 45 Run creates a unique opportunity for the club’s gameday guests, up to age 14. Following the first half, kids are welcomed on to the field for a fitness takeover, sprinting from endline to endline, providing a moment to get some activity in during a break, as well as remind stadium guests to keep active. Later this year, the program will conclude with a celebratory 5K walk/run with students and families, UC Davis Health doctors and staff, and Republic FC players, coaches, and staff.
According to the CDC, childhood obesity is prevalent in one in five children and adolescents, aged 2-19 years. Locally, 17% of children aged 2-11 and 43% of teens aged 12-19 are overweight or obese, both above the California average. It is statistically more common for certain populations, with the highest rates among Hispanic and Black children, children in lower-income neighborhoods, and families with lower parental education.
Yet while some groups of children are more affected than others, the reality is that all children are at risk of being overweight or obese. In the long-term, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) predicts that 57% of individuals with childhood obesity will also have obesity by the time they are aged 35, leading to other diagnoses included cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and many other emotional and physical conditions. Economically, it is associated with increased healthcare utilization and costs, as a study estimates that 10-year-olds with lifelong obesity will spend between $9.4 and $14 billion in healthcare costs throughout their life.
For more information about Strive for 45 and additional resources on healthy eating and childhood obesity, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Strivefor45.
Since the club’s founding, UC Davis Health has been the exclusive medical care provider for the Indomitable Club, led by Dr. Eric Giza. UC Davis Health will remain at the center of the club’s kits for the next five years, building on a decade of jerseys deeply connected to the club’s most special moments. UC Davis Health will also be proudly featured on the uniforms for the club’s youth academy and the newly-formed Unified Team – a collaboration between the club and Special Olympics Northern California.
The extended partnership will carry on many of the activations that have been developed since 2014, including Republic FC player visits with UC Davis Health’s young patients. In September, the organizations will team up for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, to drive awareness and raise funds for patients and families affected by childhood cancer. Last year, custom-designed player-worn goalkeeper kits were auctioned off to raise over $2,000 for the Super Fritz & Friends Fund, which supports patients and families receiving treatment at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.
During the 2024 season, UC Davis Health will be the presenting partner of several matches at Heart Health Park, including the Republic FC’s next home match on March 30 – Health & Wellness Night. With March 30 also marking National Doctors’ Day, over 400 doctors from UC Davis Health will be in attendance for a fun night of soccer and entertainment. Other UC Davis Health presenting partner nights include Superhero Night /Childhood Cancer Awareness (September 29), and Breast Health Awareness Night (October 26). Each match will include special elements that recognize UC Davis Health healthcare heroes and patients, while also highlighting and encouraging fans to support the partners’ shared passion for creating a healthier and stronger community. Throughout the year, UC Davis Health doctors and staff will also have access to a variety of partner benefits, including merchandise discounts, match tickets, and employee appreciation events.
UC Davis Health also served as the presenting partner for Republic FC’s 2024 Season Opener on March 9, welcoming a sold-out crowd back to the club’s home stadium to kick off its 11th campaign. Tickets for the March 30 match against Memphis 901 FC are available now and to kick off the Health & Wellness Night festivities, Republic FC and UC Davis Health will host a pre-match Yoga on the Pitch session. For more information, visit SacRepublicFC.com/Tickets.
