Sports stats



NWSL Sky Blue FC

RWJBarnabas Health and Sky Blue FC Announces Official Partnership

April 11, 2019 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Sky Blue FC News Release


West Orange, New Jersey - RWJBarnabas Health, in collaboration with Sky Blue FC, today announced that the state's largest most comprehensive Health Care System will serve as an "Official Partner" and the "Official Healthcare Provider" of the New Jersey-based National Women's Soccer League franchise. This multi-faceted partnership aligns with RWJBarnabas Health's mission to advance health care while promoting health and wellness initiatives and education in communities served across the state.

Through this partnership, RWJBarnabas Health and Sky Blue FC will jointly develop a community outreach program to better educate diverse audiences, including youth athletes and women, on the importance of proper nutrition, maximizing sports performance and healthy habits.

As the only women's professional soccer team in New Jersey, Sky Blue FC has competed in the National Women's Soccer League since 2013. Led by United States National Team Captain, Carli Lloyd, Sky Blue FC plays its home matches at Yurcak Field on the campus of Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ, with Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ, serving as the team's official training facility.

"RWJBarnabas Health is delighted to become the official Healthcare Provider of Sky Blue FC, supporting the growth of women's professional athletes, while aligning with our outstanding sports medicine practice," said Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. "We are all about New Jersey, and a partnership with the state's only women's professional soccer franchise is a perfect fit for our culture and philosophy, especially as an organization with so many women leaders throughout our system."

Additionally, Jason Krystofiak, MD, an RWJBarnabas Health sports medicine physician, will serve as Medical Director for Sky Blue FC. As Medical Director, Dr. Krystofiak, who works at RWJBarnabas Health Primary Care in Eatontown, NJ, as well as Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ, has already started working with the team having supervised all pre-season physicals for the Sky Blue FC players. Dr. Krystofiak will attend all home games and will closely monitor the health and wellness of the team members on a daily basis throughout the season.

"On behalf of RWJBarnabas Health, I am extremely proud to serve as the Medical Director for Sky Blue FC in 2019," said Dr. Krystofiak. "This team is made up of world-class athletes and we will strive to keep the players on the field, and performing at the highest level."

Through this partnership, RWJBarnabas Health will receive front of jersey logo placement on all Sky Blue FC gameday and replica jerseys.

Additional highlights between RWJBarnabas Health and Sky Blue FC include player appearances and community-based programs and special events integrating health and wellness education, among other initiatives.

"It's exciting to have RWJBarnabas Health become part of the Sky Blue FC family, serving as a valuable partner in monitoring the health and well-being of our players throughout the season," said Denise Reddy, Head Coach, Sky Blue FC. "The System has a strong presence across the state, and Dr. Jason Krystofiak's expertise will be instrumental as we compete against world-class competition."

Sky Blue's season opener will be played on April 13 against the Washington Spirit at Maryland SoccerPlex. The home opener will take place on Saturday, April 20 against the Houston Dash at Rutgers' Yurcak Field.

For photos of the new kits, visit Sky Blue FC and RWJBarnabas Health social media channels. For more information on Sky Blue FC visit www.skybluefc.com. For more information on RWJBarnabas Health, visit www.rwjbh.org.

• Discuss this story on the National Women's Soccer League message board...

National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 11, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central