Newport News, Va. – Lionsbridge Football Club and Riverside Health System will extend their sports medicine and community partnership through the 2022 season, leadership from the two organizations announced today.
The agreement continues the relationship between the Peninsula’s USL League Two soccer club and the Peninsula’s top health care provider. Riverside is the exclusive Sports Medicine and Athletic Training provider of Lionsbridge FC, delivering comprehensive medical services for players on match day, during training sessions and team off days.
“Riverside Health System has been a fantastic partner since day one and we are proud to work together to positively impact our community in many ways,” said Lionsbridge FC co-founder Mike Vest. “It is reassuring to know that our players will continue to receive first-class medical care.”
Kristian Hill of Riverside Sports Medicine serves as the Head Athletic Trainer for Lionsbridge FC. Hill received his Master of Science in Athletic Training from Old Dominion and Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Mercyhurst University. He has served as the Head Athletic Trainer for Lionsbridge FC since the club’s inception.
“Riverside is excited to extend the partnership with Lionsbridge FC to continue to provide athletic trainer services through Kristian’s direct collaboration,” said Doug Culbert, Riverside Associate Vice President for Orthopedics, General Surgery and Pain Management. “In addition to the on-field injury prevention and early injury recognition, the partnership allows Lionsbridge athletes to efficiently access diagnostics, sports medicine physicians and comprehensive medical care to help keep their performance at the highest level.”
Riverside’s comprehensive medical services include physical therapy, motion analysis and injury screening tools, all provided under the supervision of J.R. Barley, D.O., Medical Director of Riverside Sports Medicine. Lionsbridge FC players and coaches will also have full access to the Riverside Wellness & Fitness Centers, located in Newport News and Gloucester, Virginia.
Riverside and Lionsbridge FC coaches and players will continue to host a free community youth soccer clinic each summer. Registration for the clinic has filled within hours each of the past two summers.
Riverside also receives logo placement on the back of Lionsbridge FC home and away game jerseys.
Lionsbridge FC is entering its third year of competition in 2020 as a member of USL League Two, the top pre-professional league in North America. USL League Two consists of more than 70 teams across the U.S. and Canada, functioning as Major League Soccer’s primary developmental and player showcase platform. Four former Lionsbridge players have signed professional contracts in England, Sweden and the United States.
Lionsbridge FC plays its home matches on the campus of NCAA Division III powerhouse Christopher Newport University. Each home game is preceded by a two-hour pre-game community festival complete with a beer garden, food trucks, bounce houses and family-friendly entertainment.
Riverside also serves as the official sports medicine and orthopedics provider for Christopher Newport University athletics.
Riverside Sports Medicine specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries caused by physical activity, particularly sports and exercise. A department of Riverside Health System, Riverside Sports Medicine offers a sub-specialty, team approach to treating injuries with the most comprehensive services to minimize downtime and expedite return to normal activity. The group’s team of medical professionals includes fellowship-trained primary care sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, athletic trainers and physical therapists with sport specialist certification.
Riverside Health System is an integrated network touching 2 million lives annually. Serving coastal Virginia since 1915, Riverside is guided by a mission to "care for others as we would care for those we love." The health system offers a variety of services and programs in the areas of prevention, primary care, diagnostics, neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics, aging-related services, rehabilitation, medical education, home care and hospice. Riverside operates five acute care hospitals and a behavioral health hospital, in addition to a physical rehabilitation hospital and long-term acute care hospital in partnership with Select Medical.