Bay FC Players to Participate in Story Times at Local Libraries to Encourage Summer Reading and Help Close the Gap on Summer Learning Loss
San Francisco (June 13, 2024) – Bay FC, the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), today announced a partnership with Ross Stores, Inc. (“Ross”), which operates the largest off-price retail chain in the U.S., Ross Dress for Less. Ross, which is headquartered in Dublin, CA, is a Proud Partner of Bay FC. Together, Ross and Bay FC will support summer reading and literacy programs for Bay Area youth. To launch the partnership, Bay FC players will take part in story time at Joyce Ellington Branch Library in San Jose on June 25 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
The two organizations are partnering to further youth education and literacy across the Bay Area by connecting with San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco public library systems to promote their respective summer reading programs, host a book drive, and participate in Bay FC player- and front office-led story times in select branches.
“Partnering with Ross to make these connection points with the community happen is the perfect example of a seamless fit and we are so excited to have them on our roster,” said Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart. “To develop future leaders, we believe that youth in the Bay Area not only need support in their access to sport, but also in off-the-field learning opportunities.”
As a part of the agreement, Ross and Bay FC will partner for the following to enrich education experiences for local youth:
- Bay FC Player and Staff Story Times – In order to help inspire and connect with Bay Area youth and their communities, Bay FC players and staff will be participating in story time read-a-longs throughout the summer at select library locations.
- The first of these events will take place on June 25th at Joyce Ellington Branch Library in San Jose from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the general public.
- Future Bay FC-led story times can be found on Bay FC’s community webpage throughout the summer.
- Bay Area Public Library Summer Reading Programs – Fans in San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco can participate in their local library branches’ summer reading program for the chance to win Ross-sponsored Bay FC-themed prizes, including select match tickets.
- Community Book Drive – At Bay FC’s July 6th match at PayPal Park against Washington Spirit, Bay FC will host a Community Book Drive in partnership with Ross to collect books which will be dispersed amongst the San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco public library systems.
- Student Recognition – Bay FC and Ross will celebrate select summer reading program participants by hosting them in a field-level suite at a 2024 Bay FC home match.
“Ross is proud to be one of Bay FC’s inaugural community partners,” said Leslie Oestreicher, Group Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability at Ross. “As a Bay Area-based company, we are excited to work with Bay FC to help local kids sustain their literacy skills through the summer. Strong reading skills are fundamental to educational achievement, which is a primary focus of Ross’ community programs.”
Legends, a global premium experience company, represented Bay FC in sourcing and negotiating the partnership with Ross.
Bay FC is hosting its inaugural home season at PayPal Park in San Jose and tickets are now available for purchase at bayfc.com. Fans can also follow @wearebayfc on social channels for more exciting announcements to come.
About Bay Football Club
Bay Football Club (Bay FC) is the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area and the 14th team to join the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Bay FC was established in April 2023 and co-founded by USWNT legends Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street and an investor group of leading tech, business and sports executives. Sixth Street’s investment is the largest institutional investment to date in a women’s professional sports franchise. Bay FC is changing the face of women’s soccer as we know it. Beginning play in the 2024 season, we are building a squad that will play the beautiful game with power, passion, energy, and creativity. Tickets are now on sale for Bay FC at https://bayfc.com and fans can follow Bay FC’s social channels (@wearebayfc) for the latest news, merchandise, and events.
About Ross Stores, Inc.
Ross Stores, Inc. is an S&P 500, Fortune 500, and Nasdaq 100 (ROST) company headquartered in Dublin, California, with fiscal 2023 revenues of $20.4 billion. Currently, the Company operates Ross Dress for Less® (“Ross”), the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States with 1,775 locations in 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 60% off department and specialty store regular prices every day. The Company also operates 352 dd’s DISCOUNTS® stores in 22 states that feature a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 70% off moderate department and discount store regular prices every day. Additional information is available at www.rossstores.com.
