“We are excited to partner with First Tee – Greater Richmond because of our similar missions to strengthen community connections,” said Kickers Chairman, Rob Ukrop. “The values learned at the golf course and on the soccer field will help prepare the next generation of young people to lead. We believe introducing both soccer and golf to the wider RVA community will make us stronger together.”
First Tee – Greater Richmond is a nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Through three major programming areas, the First Tee Life Skills Experience, the First Tee School Program, and collaborative community partnerships, First Tee – Greater Richmond reached more than 71,000 youth in 2019.
Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
“We are proud to be included on the Kickers’ alternate kit and partner with another like-minded organization,” added Brent Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of First Tee of Greater Richmond. “Through their commitment to the community and to making soccer accessible for all, they were a natural fit within our vision at First Tee – Greater Richmond: to strengthen the character of our community.
“We look forward to the partnership and collaborating on additional ways where our organizations can work together within the greater Richmond community.”
Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
As with the primary and secondary kits, Bon Secours will feature on the back of the alternate kit during the 2021 season.
Bon Secours enters their seventh year as a partner of the Kickers. 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.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Richmond Kickers, and we are proud of the work we have done together over the last several years to strengthen the health of our community by helping Richmond’s youth stay active,” added Ryan Stuhlreyer, Vice President of Service Line Strategy, Bon Secours Richmond. “We look forward to maintaining this momentum into another great year and season ahead.”
Photo © Jessica Stone Hendricks Photography
The Kickers will debut the new alternate black kit in front of the home fans at City Stadium this Saturday night against North Carolina FC. Kickoff for that match is set for 6:30 p.m. The match will also stream live on ESPN+, and locally in Richmond on WTVR CBS 6.3 (Comcast 206, Verizon FiOS 466). A limited number of tickets are still available at RichmondKickers.com/tickets.
Healthy Mindset Quick 9
Mason G., 10 years old
1.Why do you think having a healthy mindset is important?
When you have a healthy mindset you feel good about yourself and others.2. How do you keep a healthy mindset?
By listening to music, and thinking about positive things in my life.3. How do you prepare for school/work?
Eating a good breakfast.4. How do you prepare for social activities (First Tee, other clubs, hanging out with friends)?
By just having fun….5. If you’re stressed, what do you do to relax?
I lay down and get comfortable and watch some YouTube videos or TV.6. Who can you turn to if you need help?
Mom and Dad.7. If you make a mistake, how do you learn from it and move forward?
I think about what I did wrong and how I can do better next time.8. If you see a friend or family member in need, what can you do to encourage them?
I talk to them and ask them what’s wrong and tell them that it’s the past and to move on.9. What has First Tee taught you about a healthy mindset?
First Tee has taught me good manners, positive habits and how to behave on the golf course. Thank you to all my First Tee Coaches – special shout out to Coach Frank.4 Steps to Developing A Healthy Mindset
1. Have a positive attitude.
By focusing on gratitude and practicing positive-self talk, you might be surprised by how much better it makes you feel. Everyday look for new ways to nurture your positive attitude through eating healthy, staying active, and being honest.2. Give your best effort.
Parents and mentors can encourage kids to give their best effort as often as possible, and keeping yourself accountable is the easiest way to lead by example. Giving your best effort allows you to realize what you are truly capable of, and become more confident in your skills.3. Give back.
Giving back to your community, or causes that you care about is another great way to maintain a healthy mentality. Volunteering can help your family connect with others who hold similar values and beliefs. Even activities as simple as tutoring someone on the weekend, or pulling a neighbors weeds can have a tremendous effect on the community you live in.4. Take ownership.
Helping kids realize they have control over the outcomes of the challenges they face, can help build confidence and reduce anxiety. Reducing anxiety and practicing problem-solving capabilities at a young age can have a huge effect on how their mindset develops through the rest of their lives. First Tee guides kids to strengthen what’s inside them and put it into action. It’s a priority for us to guide kids to care for their social and emotional wellness so when they step up to the next shot, math test, or presentation they have the strength to move forward, aim further, and finish stronger than the last time. Click here to find a First Tee chapter near you!Quick 9: Victor Caliguri
1. What does “showing up to others” mean to you?
Showing up to others means being the bigger person. Being the bigger person in any situation you face. You face many hardships in life and you have to be the bigger person to overcome those conflicts. Showing up to others is a way of showing maturity and proving to people that you are capable of doing whatever task you take on.2. How do you show up for your friends?
I show up for my friends by trying to be the smarter person. Making the right decisions and helping them go down the right path. My friends can also help me keep going down the right path if I start to make wrong decisions. No matter what the circumstance is, I will always be there for them.3. How do you show up for your family?
I show up for my family by trying to be supportive. Being supportive in a family is everything because we all need each other. A family is everyone working together to be the best people they can be and loving each other as you do it. I show up by listening to them and trying to help them with anything they need.4. How do you show up for your community?
I love to volunteer for my community. Helping the needy is always a blessing and I really enjoy it. Seeing the smile you put on peoples faces always makes my day. Showing up for your community isn’t just helping people. You can help the environment by picking up others trash and trying to make the world we live in a clean place.5. How do you feel after helping others?
I love helping others. I always feel accomplished as if I did what I wanted to do. I feel happy that I was able to make someone’s day easier. When they show their appreciation for you after you help them it feels even better.6. How do you mentally prepare to show up for your role?
I tell myself that I can do whatever I am about to do and go into everything confident. Having a bad mentality about something is never a good start. Being confident in myself makes me know that I can achieve anything I set my mind to no matter what the role is.7. What impact has it made on your life when someone has been there for you?
Having someone to turn to when times are tough is crucial for me. I always love when my friends take time out of their days to listen to me and what I have going on. It has made me realize that when I take my time to listen to their problems it definitely makes them happier because it sure does when they do it.8. What does it feel like when someone is there for you?
It makes me feel loved and welcomed. Having someone always there is a great gift and I’m so grateful for that. I try to be that person that anyone can turn to because I will always take time out of my day to help people because that’s what makes me happy.9. What have you learned through First Tee about showing up for others?
I learned that showing up for others can teach others very valuable lessons. Being the bigger person can lead those people around you to get out of their shell and show up for others. Don’t be afraid to take action because when you do that it will help everyone with you be more confident and you will all learn from it.Coach Megan Parayno
Claire Alford Impacts a Community
Quick 9: Showing up for Others
1. What does “showing up for others” mean to you?
Showing up for others means that you are there for someone when they need you. You show kindness by helping others and not just thinking of yourself. You give people the respect they deserve.2. How do you show up for your friends?
I show up for my friends by being there when they need me. One of my friends lost her mom and just by being there made her feel better and that everything was going to be okay.3. How do you show up for your family?
I show up for my family by helping out around the house and making it easier on my parents. I realize how hard they work so that we can go to a Catholic school. I show them how thankful I am by trying hard with my schoolwork and doing my best I can.4. How do you show up for your community?
I show up for my community by serving at my church and helping at my school. I helped at the After School Program by helping kids with their homework. I also volunteer at the Brighton Center around Christmas time by donating to families in need.5. How do you feel after helping others?
I feel amazing. I realize how extremely lucky and blessed I am to have all of the love and support of my family and friends. When I am helping others I feel like I am giving them some of my joy and happiness.6. How do you mentally prepare to show up for your role (coach, student, parents etc)?
I show up for my role by being confident. I make sure that I have practiced as much as possible. I always make sure that I persevere and keep going no matter what. Whether good or bad I’ve tried my best and that’s all I can do.7. What impact has it made on your life when someone has been there for you?
It shows me that I am surrounded by friends and family that love me no matter what. I can look up to my friends and family to help me through the rough times.8. What does it feel like when someone is there for you?
It feels like I am loved. I have people who I can count on. It feels really good to have people in my life who can be there for me.9. What have you learned through First Tee about showing up for others?
I have learned to use the core values. I have learned to respect others and my surroundings. I have also learned to use responsibility while on the golf course. Using the Core Values allows us to show up for others.Coach Ron Castillo, First Tee – North Florida
Belmont Golf Course Launches Rebrand
Quick 9 – Bretton M.
Personal Growth Through Golf
Bretton M. from First Tee – Central Florida1. How does golf relate to life?
Golf relates to life because life isn’t always easy and neither is golf. So it teaches you to always persevere even when times are tough.2. How does golf challenge you to be a better person?
Golf challenges me to be a better person because I want to be well respected and to be known as a good person so I always want to be the best I can be.3. What is your favorite part about playing golf?
My favorite part about playing golf is all of the wonderful opportunities in life you can have from the game.4. What golf skills helps you the most off the course?
Golf has really helped my confidence level and that is something that is important in life so I am very happy to have gained that skill.5. How can golf make you a more rounded individual?
Golf can help you be a more rounded individual because you have to show respect to the course, your peers and yourself so that right there makes you a better person to have those skills.6. How are you inspired through golf?
I have really been inspired by Arnold Palmer and his positive impacts on the community and his amazing golf success.7. How have you grown up over the past year?
I have grown this year in many ways. I have been able to drastically improve my golf game physically and mentally. I have also become stronger and tougher and much better at controlling my emotions which has helped on the course and in life.8. What or who motivates you?
My Grampa is the person who motivates me because he is the strongest person I know and he makes me want to push harder every day!9. What is your personal growth goal?
A personal growth goal for me would be to have a consistent workout routine.Mentzel Proves Heart, Golf Are All You Need to Impact Others
Golf.com “Muni Mondays” Feature on Belmont
Putting their heads together with Scot Sherman of Love Golf Design, Schneider and his First Tee colleagues pitched the county with this proposal: they would transform Belmont into a multi-faceted facility, turning the 18-hole course into a 12-hole routing while converting the remaining ground into a community-focused hybrid, composed of a driving range and short-game area, an 18-hole putting course and a six-hole par-3 course. Inspiration for this blueprint came, in part, from other unconventional success stories around the country, including Sweetens Cove, in Tennessee, a nine-hole underdog-cum-architectural darling; Goat Hill Park, a come-one, come-all muni in Southern California; and Bobby Jones Golf Course, in Atlanta, where an 18-hole layout had been modified into a wildly entertaining, reversible nine-hole track.CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL FEATURE ON GOLF.COM