Exeter Health Resources and Seacoast United Sports Club are excited to have formed a dynamic new partnership. This exciting and innovative relationship enables the health system to provide the local soccer and sports club organization with specialized sports medicine physicians, dedicated strength training, rehabilitation therapy and a variety of information and education forums on health and wellness.
“Seacoast United is very excited to partner with Core Physicians’ sports medicine team for our upcoming season,” said Paul Willis, President and CEO of Seacoast United Sports Club. “One of the most important factors to all of the staff and coaches within Seacoast United is that Exeter Health Resources serves the same region we are involved in and everyone we have met shares a collective passion for wanting to make a difference within our communities.” The concept for the new relationship evolved from a long time advertising sponsorship of Seacoast United by Exeter Health Resources.
“Together with Paul we recognized the depth of resources within the hospital and its operating affiliates could help to make a real difference to the coaches, players and their families by taking the relationship to another level,” explained Mark Whitney, Vice President of Strategy and Community Relations for Exeter Health Resources. “Paul has been an energizing, positive force in youth sports on the Seacoast and we view this collaborative relationship with Seacoast United as a win for everyone involved. In addition to orthopedic and sports medicine professionals we can provide a full spectrum of professionals from pediatricians to neurologists who are available to support our partnership with Seacoast United in a way we hope will positively impact the young athletes in these programs.”
Seacoast United has year round sports activities taking place in Hampton, Exeter and Kingston including soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and baseball.
“The location of Exeter Hospital is ideal and central to our various locations,” Willis said. “Thanks to the support and guidance from the sports medicine team and Exeter PT we are looking to implement a comprehensive strength and conditioning program for all of our players. This will allow Seacoast United to take its program to a whole new level in that area.”
The sports medicine team from Core Orthopedics will bring their experience with the national STOP Sports Injuries campaign to the coaches and players at Seacoast United, according to Loree Hazard, Orthopedic Service Line Development Administrator at Exeter Hospital. The STOP Sports Injuries Campaign focuses on educating athletes, parents, trainers, coaches and healthcare providers about the rapid increase in youth sports injuries, the necessary steps to help reverse the trend and the need to keep young athletes healthy.
“We are looking forward to bringing our experience not only with sports medicine but also the principles of the STOP Sports Injuries campaign to our new partnership with Seacoast United Sports,” said Hazard. “Our hope is that this expertise will help raise awareness of injury prevention so that the players can enjoy the game safely and without injury, which goes hand in hand with our mission to improve the health and wellness of all those who live in our community.”
Physical therapists from Exeter Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services will help the players, parents and coaches at Seacoast United learn a series of dynamic warm up exercises that are designed to decrease the risk of injury.
“The therapists and trainers are eager to play a role in this new relationship with Seacoast United Sports, not only by providing exceptional care to athletes but it is also as a very gratifying way to be involved with the community we serve,” said Jeff Meisner, Senior Director of Rehabilitation Services for Exeter Hospital’s Physical and Occupational Therapy Department. “Our involvement with the sports club will serve to underscore our commitment to the athletes, while helping to ensure that they can enjoy the sport and remain injury free.”
PHOTO: Drs. Colman, Clerk and Bernard along with the directors of Seacoast United Sports Club