On September 23rd, Kaiser Permanente partnered with the San Diego Wave Fútbol Club to host the third Wave of Wellness Clinic, bringing together co-ed youth participants aged 12 to 17 from prominent San Diego organizations such as the Chicano Federation, Reality Changers, Education Compact, and Father Joe’s of San Diego, along with their parents, for a day dedicated to fitness, education, and holistic well-being. The recent clinic placed a spotlight on nurturing healthy habits and guiding young minds toward making positive choices to achieve total health and wellness.
“We firmly believe that by instilling healthy habits at an early age, we are laying the foundation for a healthier community. Our collaboration with San Diego Wave allows us to reach young minds and inspire them to make choices that will lead to a lifelong journey of well-being,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii. “This clinic marked a wonderful collaboration between Kaiser Permanente and the Wave Fútbol Club, merging the passion for soccer with a resolute commitment to health and wellness.”
Young attendees had the unique opportunity of interacting with San Diego Wave midfielder and Cardiff-native, Sierra Enge, along with the Wave’s President – and coach of the 2015 and 2019 US Women’s World Cup Championship teams – Jill Ellis. Both Ellis and Enge engaged attendees in informative Q&A sessions that provided valuable insights, coached soccer drills that built players skills, and created cherished memories through photo opportunities with the youth in attendance. The clinic was designed to immerse participants in a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. Soccer skills and drills took center stage, emphasizing not just the physical aspect but also the importance of teamwork and discipline. A significant focus was placed on injury prevention and stretching programs, empowering young athletes with the knowledge to safeguard their physical well-being while pursuing their athletic dreams. Kaiser Permanente also played a pivotal role in this event by conducting workshops on cultivating healthy habits.
“I had an amazing time at the Wave of Wellness Fit Clinic today with all the young athletes,” said Ellis. “Despite the participants coming from different backgrounds and having different levels of skills, today they worked as a team and inspired each other to reach their full potential.”
The partnership between Kaiser Permanente and San Diego Wave Fútbol Club represents a shared commitment to empower women and improve women’s total health. By equipping young athletes and their families with knowledge and practical skills, this partnership promises a brighter and healthier future for the San Diego community.
