FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Novant Health and Carolina Rapids Soccer Club extend relationship

Agreement includes support for Rapids’ financial assistance program

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Novant Health and the Carolina Rapids Soccer Club are extending their partnership through the 2020 season. The two organizations have worked together since 2007, bringing performance and safety to thousands of soccer players and their families.

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with Novant Health,” said Thomas Finlay, the Rapids’ Executive Director. “Since we first forged our relationship in 2007, we have seen the benefits for our members. The education and development of our coaching staff with first aid, CPR, and AED training is pivotal to the safety of our players and members.”

As part of the partnership, Novant Health conducts baseline concussion testing for club players at no charge and provides sports performance training led by performance specialists from Novant Health Sports & Performance Medicine powered by EXOS.  Additionally, a portion of Novant Health’s sponsorship goes toward the Rapids financial assistance program, providing opportunities for youth to develop their skills.  

“Novant Health looks forward to supporting the health and wellness of the Carolina Rapids’ players with our world-class care and performance services,” said Greg Bielec PT, OCS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, Director of Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine for Novant Health in the Greater Charlotte Market. 

Added Finlay, “By providing our competitive players with baseline testing for concussions, the relationship is completely geared toward the safety of our players and, moving forward, members will see more education material on nutrition and injuries from our partners at Novant Health.”

ABOUT THE CAROLINA RAPIDS

Established in 1987, Carolina Rapids Soccer Club has over 5,000 members – serving Recreation, Competitive, Boys U.S. Development Academy, Boys Elite Club’s National League (ECNL), Girls ECNL, Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and Adult Recreation. Built on the tent poles to serve the community through soccer, the Rapids are the first and only club throughout greater Charlotte to have won a U.S. Youth National Championship. Providing an economic impact of $10 million to the communities it serves, the Rapids are a proud part of the Colorado Rapids Adidas Alliance, one of five clubs nationally to hold that acclaim. While its overall mission is player development – at all levels – the Rapids execute that mission with its “5 C’s” in mind: CHARACTER, COMMITMENT, COMPETITION, COMMUNITY, and COMMUNICATION. The Rapids have enjoyed steady growth in its three decades, with geographic locations in Cabarrus, Denver, North Mecklenburg, South Charlotte and West. For more information, visit the club’s web home at www.CarolinaRapids.org, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT NOVANT HEALTH

Novant Health is an integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient facilities and hospitals that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to communities in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. Named in 2017 by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of the nation’s 150 best places to work in healthcare, Novant Health network consists of more than 1,500 physicians and over 28,000 employees that provide care at over 580 locations, including 14 medical centers and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. In 2017, the health system provided more than $789 million in community benefit, including financial assistance and services.

For more information, please visit our website at NovantHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Need Urgent Care Help? Visit our friends at Novant at one of these convenient locations!

NH Huntersville Medical Center ER
10030 Gilead Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-316-4000
OPEN 24 Hours

 NH Lakeside Family Physicians Urgent Care
19485 Old Jetton Rd.  Suite #100
Cornelius, NC 28031
704-384-1775
8am – 8 pm