WPS Committed to Supporting Nationwide Campaign to Address Childhood Obesity
Washington Freedom Goalkeeper Briana Scurry Attends Kick-Off Ceremony in Washington D.C. as First Lady Unveils Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 9, 2010) – Women’s Professional Soccer was represented today in Washington D.C. by Washington Freedom Goalkeeper Briana Scurry, who took part in the kick-off ceremony for First Lady Michelle Obama’s formal unveiling of a nationwide campaign to address the serious epidemic of childhood obesity. For the first time ever, the First Lady will set a national goal of solving the obesity challenge within a generation so that America’s youngest children reach adulthood at a healthy weight.
Mrs. Obama watches President Obama sign the
childhood obesity memorandum.
WPS, as a professional sports league that both promotes and represents healthy, fitness-minded living, has joined in this campaign with a commitment towards the goal of eliminating childhood obesity in a generation and getting more kids active, playing or moving at least one hour every day. With eight teams in the U.S., WPS fans spread across the country, and WPS Camps taking place in over a dozen cities, Women’s Professional Soccer has committed to work together with the First Lady and the White House to increase existing programs and creatively develop new ideas and platforms to address this issue.
“We are pleased to be part of this nationwide initiative to fight childhood obesity that the First Lady has unveiled,” said WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci. “WPS is uniquely positioned as a sports league of role models and the world’s best soccer players, who can inspire, mobilize and teach kids about the benefits of being active, eating better and embracing healthier lifestyles.”
“I’m really proud to represent WPS today as the First Lady unveils her nationwide challenge to tackle the issue of childhood obesity,” said Briana Scurry. “All of us in the league had the opportunity to play soccer throughout our childhoods to help us stay active and healthy. We hope we can introduce more children to the same opportunities we had and the benefits of sport and healthy living that went with it.”
Brianna Scurry and Marta.
WPS expects to have more announcements about its support of the White House initiative and programs to help fight childhood obesity closer to the 2010 season.
About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)
Headquartered in San Francisco, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with eight teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. WPS completed its inaugural season in August 2009 as Sky Blue FC of New Jersey became the first-ever WPS Champions. In 2010, eight teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including six original WPS teams – Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Saint Louis Athletica, Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) and Washington Freedom – and two expansion teams Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence. The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.womensprosoccer.com or follow all the news at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.
About the Author
Rob Penner is the Communications Director for Women's Professional Soccer.
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