Empowering Young Athletes: GoHealth Urgent Care’s Commitment to Youth Sports
In 2024, in collaboration with TeamSnap and our health system partners, GoHealth supported more than 200 leagues, giving more than 1,400 young athletes in need the opportunity to play.
GoHealth Urgent Care is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves, starting with local neighborhoods. Youth sports help kids grow mentally, emotionally, and physically, setting them up for healthier, more active futures. By increasing access to sports, GoHealth is supporting stronger communities and reducing preventable healthcare costs.
“We are passionate about increasing access to quality care, expanding inclusivity and removing the barriers to wellness for all people,” said Paula Blomquist, GoHealth’s chief experience officer. “GoHealth supports youth sports, rec centers, 5Ks and organizations across the country that promote healthy lifestyles because wellness begins in our homes and in our neighborhoods.”
For many families, a youth sports scholarship via the league makes the difference in whether or not their children are able to participate. The parent of a little league player in Bear, Del., writes, "Thank you so much for all you do for Canal Little League. If it was not for the sponsorships that you have generally given, my son would not be as successful as he is today in baseball. He leaves Friday to compete at Game 2 at the MLB world series! Thank you so much for your sponsorships for Canal little league to make dreams like these happen!!”
Another parent from North Carolina writes, “I am grateful that they are involved in my community. The coach told us [Novant Health-GoHealth] sponsored the league, and that helps them keep the price down so I can afford to sign my child up. Everything is very expensive these days.”
Making sports accessible to children and teens has many short- and long-term benefits, both for the child and the wider community.
Research shows that children who participate in youth sports are healthier mentally, emotionally, socially and physically, and as they become young adults, they have improved life, academic and work skills than their less active peers, and are more likely to continue being physically active.
By promoting active lifestyles, youth sports can foster healthier communities. According to a 2022 World Health Organization report, the cost of physical inactivity on individuals, governments and businesses across the globe is estimated at $27 billion a year in unnecessary healthcare costs treating resulting noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and depression. By increasing access to sports and other physical activity, communities can improve their health and wellness and reduce the cost of disease on our families and communities.
Honoring the volunteers who make youth sports possible
GoHealth and its health system partners worked with TeamSnap to provide financial support to local youth sports programs and to acknowledge inspirational youth sports coaches. Nine coaches from across the nation were selected as “Coach of the Year” for their TeamSnap leagues by a popular vote of parents, players and the community. Each coach received a commemorative plaque identifying them as a “Coach of the Year.” In addition, GoHealth and its health system partners acknowledged each coach’s contributions by making a $2,000 contribution to the coach’s league.
“GoHealth and our partners would like to thank all youth sports coaches, who often volunteer their time to teach young athletes lifelong lessons in teamwork and perseverance that benefit the kids and the wider community,” Blomquist said. “This Coach of the Year award recognizes the contributions of coaches and supports our local leagues, ensuring every child has the chance to thrive in sports and beyond.”
With the help of community members and leagues, GoHealth and its health system partners are proud to acknowledge these coaches from across the country for their dedication to youth sports:
Josh Cilman, Vienna Little League – 2024 Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (Northern Virigina)
Josh Cilman started coaching Vienna Little League baseball a decade ago and says it is the enthusiasm of his players that keeps him coming back each season. Their excitement before every practice is palpable and Josh says he never takes for granted that for many of them, their time on the diamond is probably the best part of their day.
Josh has coached the girls' and boys' “Majors” level for the past six years, which consists of players ages 10-12. One of the greatest rewards is seeing how the discipline they learn during practice applies on the diamond. His players work hard, and Josh says the reward is not only the final score on the scoreboard but the relationship he maintains with many players long after they’ve moved beyond his team.
“Seeing my players take the lessons learned in Little League and applying it to higher level baseball or other sports is incredibly rewarding,” Josh says.
His team faced a challenging start to this year’s season with a few losses, but Josh says through each player’s commitment to hard work and practice, they turned it around and finished the season in first place.
Evan Baker, Warriors Soccer Club – 2024 Henry Ford-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (Metro Detroit)
In his 20 years of coaching soccer, Evan Baker has seen hundreds of young players of all ages and abilities learn what it truly means to be a team that supports and challenges each other.
Evan has coached at all levels, including youth teams U6-U8, high school teams and college teams. Currently in his role as the Girls Director of Coaching at Warriors Soccer Club, Evan strives to ensure players not only have a bond with their own teammates, but with other teams and players within the club. They often show up to cheer each other on, and he frequently runs mixed-age sessions so older players can help mentor younger players. He loves to see the younger players rising to the challenge and modeling their game after older club-mates.
Evan says the greatest reward for him is watching players learn, grow, develop, and overcome challenges that they may have previously viewed as insurmountable. He calls it “lifting heavy weights,” pushing players to step outside of their comfort zone to test themselves against bigger, faster, and stronger players.
“I’m so proud of the attitude my teams have displayed in these situations,” he says, “meeting the challenge head-on rather than complaining or shying away.”
Andrew Georg, Plainedge Soccer Club – 2024 Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (Long Island, New York)
Andrew Georg knows coaching is about far more than just the sport being played. It’s teaching confidence and passion and instilling a good work ethic that hopefully will stay with them long after they’ve moved beyond his team.
Andrew has coached youth sports for about five years, including coaching softball for girls 9-10 in Plainedge and Massapequa and soccer in Plainedge for girls ages 7-12. He says his players have a great sense of humor, passion and desire. They truly care for each other, which makes being their coach special.
Andrew has developed good relationships with his players and the families of those he coaches and says he always tries to be a positive influence and a leader to help them make good decisions.
Both soccer teams he currently coaches have struggled with injuries and tough competitors, but he says they overcome those obstacles, stick together as a team and never give up.
Eli Lopez, Wappinger United Soccer Club – 2024 Nuvance Health-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (Hudson Valley, NY)
Eli Lopez volunteered to coach a decade ago when his older daughter decided to play soccer. His second daughter did the same and his son followed suit. Eli has found himself in a coaching role every time and eventually started a competitive team that has been growing ever since.
His biggest joy is watching his players, including the current group of girls U13 he is coaching, become one big happy family. They support each other on and off the field. Eli loves to see how they push each other, cheer for each other’s successes and how they learn from their losses.
He notes people sometimes overlook the commitment that even volunteer coaches must make; not only on the field but the classes they must take to stay current on things like safety issues.
His team has faced player turnover, including one recent season where there were just enough players to field a team. But Eli says his players met every challenge. “We persevered through that season,” he says. “The girls introduced friends to our team, and we expanded.”
Chuck Wilson, Canal Little League – 2024 ChristianaCare-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (Delaware/Maryland)
Having the opportunity to play a part in his young players’ lives is what Chuck Wilson says draws him to coaching. For six years, he’s coached 5- to 11-year-olds in the Canal Little League, where he is often mentoring players in their first experience at baseball.
The best reward of being a coach of young players is not the win/loss or scorecard. “It’s seeing their smiles, watching them face challenges and overcome, seeing them lift up a teammate, watching them find confidence in themselves and their dreams,” Chuck says.
He knows many of the kids he coaches will have relatively short sports careers, so he strives to make sure their time is meaningful, that they know his support doesn’t end when the season does, and that he can teach skills that they will carry for the rest of their lives.
With large team sizes due to interest in the league, it can be a challenge to ensure all the players get as much playing time as possible. Chuck says finding the right balance is critical to keep kids engaged, to ensure every player grows and improves, and the team remains competitive.
William Garcia, Katy Youth Soccer Club – 2024 Memorial Hermann-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (Houston)
William Garcia became a soccer coach three years ago almost out of necessity: the team his 8-year-old daughter joined didn’t have one. He’s loved it ever since and says: “I cannot picture doing anything different than coaching.”
William played soccer as a child and through high school, and coaching the sport seemed a natural transition when his daughter’s team needed one. In addition to continuing to coach girls ages 5 to 13, he’s helped other coaches with private lessons and began providing private lessons himself.
He says the most rewarding part is watching how the girls on his team grow to love the game and how they face and overcome their own fears and challenges. One player in particular loved the game but often became so stressed she would end up in tears. William says the entire team came together to help her build confidence.
Michael Pereira, Soccer Club of Newington – 2024 Hartford Healthcare-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (Connecticut)
Michael Pereira coached youth baseball for 11 years before taking time away to start a family. He missed coaching though, and when the time was right, he got back into it. This time coaching soccer.
For Michael, the greatest joy of coaching young athletes is watching them grow in an environment that allows each of them to improve as a player, build character, and most importantly have fun enjoying the game. “Each athlete on my team comes in with a different personality and a style of play,” Michael says. “It’s great to feed off each other and build that chemistry together.”
A handful of players on his team had never played soccer before and were unsure of themselves starting out. It also created a challenging gap in experience among players. But Michael says he’s created the right drills in an environment where every player, regardless of experience or ability, was able to grow to the team’s competitive level.
Matt Gerding, Edmond Soccer Club – 2024 Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (Oklahoma)
For Matt Gerding, coaching is about helping shape the future leaders of the community – instilling teamwork, communication skills and resilience.
Matt has coached girls’ soccer for about three years. He coaches both the Girls U14 and Girls U11 teams at the Edmond Soccer Club in Edmond, Okla. He says what motivates him is not just the great attitude of his players, but also the support he gets from their parents. Heart-warming notes and stories they share with him about how the soccer team has positively affected their children make it a very satisfying time. But Matt says there’s a personal element to it as well.
“The joy of reliving my youth by lacing up my cleats and having fun with the team,” he says. “You only get to be a kid once, but coaching is the next best thing.”
Brian Walsh, Lake Norman Little League – 2024 Novant Health-GoHealth Urgent Care Coach of the Year (North Carolina)
As a softball coach for Lake Norman Little League, in Huntersville, N.C., Brian Walsh focuses on building a lifelong love of athletics and instilling teamwork, confidence and resilience. He has coached softball for the past three years as both an assistant and head coach. This year he coached ages 8-12 at Lake Norman Little League in Huntersville.
Brian says he’s motivated by his players' eagerness to learn the game and how the team rallies around each other to overcome challenges, especially when faced with tough competitors. He’s inspired when a team overcomes obstacles such as losing their confidence when up against tough competitors by sticking together as a team and never giving up.
Brian is also quick to recognize the assistant coaches he works with, “Because if it wasn't for my assistant coaches, I would have been lost these past few seasons,” he said.