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Midweek, this new ownership entity disclosed the hiring of Anja van Ginhoven, the English national team's general manager working with head coach Sarina Wiegman, as their overseer of worldwide women's football activities. This new multi-club ownership body, featuring San Francisco’s Bay FC as the initial addition in its portfolio, has prior experience in recruiting from the national football governing body.

The hiring earlier this year of Cossington, the prominent ex-technical director for the FA, to the CEO role was a signal of intent by this organization. She understands women’s football thoroughly and currently she has assembled an executive team that possesses extensive knowledge of the history of women's football and filled with practical experience.

Van Ginhoven marks the third core member of Wiegman’s setup to leave this year, with Cossington exiting prior to Euro 2025 and the assistant manager, Arjan Veurink, leaving to assume the position of head manager of the Netherlands, however her move arrived more quickly.

Stepping away was a shock to the system, but “I’d taken my decision to exit the national setup quite a long time ago”, Van Ginhoven explains. “My agreement covering four years, exactly like the assistant and head coach had. When they renewed, I previously indicated I was uncertain if I would do the same. I had accepted the whole idea that after the European Championship I wouldn’t be part of England any more.”

The European Championship turned into a deeply felt tournament due to that. “I remember very clearly, vividly, discussing with the head coach where I basically told her about my decision and then we said: ‘We share a single dream, how amazing would it be to clinch the European title?’ In reality, dreams don't hopes materialize frequently yet, against the odds, this one did.”

Wearing a Netherlands-colored shirt, Van Ginhoven has divided loyalties post her tenure in England, where she was part of winning back-to-back European titles and worked within Wiegman’s staff for the Netherlands’ triumph the 2017 Euros.

“The English side will forever have a dear spot in my heart. So, it will be challenging, especially with the knowledge that the players are due to arrive for national team duty in the near future,” she comments. “When England plays the Netherlands, who do I support? Today I have on orange, but tomorrow it’s white.”

You can change direction and move quickly in a speedboat. In a lean group like this one, that is simple to achieve.

The club was not part of the equation when the management specialist determined that it was time for a change, however the opportunity arose opportunely. The chief executive began assembling the team and common principles proved essential.

“Virtually from the start we met we experienced an instant connection,” remarks Van Ginhoven. “You’re immediately on the same level. We've discussed extensively regarding multiple aspects related to developing women's football and what we think is the right way.”

These executives are among several to make a move from well-known positions within European football for a blank sheet of paper in the US. The Spanish club's women’s technical director, Patricia González, has been announced as the group's worldwide sports director.

“I felt strongly drawn by the firm conviction of the power of the women’s game,” González comments. “I've been acquainted with Kay Cossington for many years; during my tenure at Fifa, she was the technical director of England, and such choices are straightforward when you know you'll be working alongside colleagues who drive you.”

The depth of knowledge within their group makes them unique, says she, with Bay Collective one of several new multi-club initiatives which have emerged in recent years. “It's a standout feature of our approach. Different approaches are acceptable, but we are firm in our belief in incorporating football expertise,” she states. “All three of us have traveled a path in women’s football, for most of our lives.”

According to their online statement, the goal for the collective is to support and lead a forward-thinking and durable system within female football clubs, founded on effective practices addressing the different demands of women in sport. Doing that, with collective agreement, eliminating the need for persuasion for specific initiatives, is hugely liberating.

“I compare it with going from a tanker to a speedboat,” remarks Van Ginhoven. “You're journeying in uncharted waters – that’s a Dutch saying, not sure how it comes across – and it's necessary to trust your personal insight and skills to make the right decision. Adjusting course and speeding up is possible using a speedboat. In a small team like this, that is simple to achieve.”

She continues: “With this opportunity, we start with a blank slate to build upon. Personally, what we do is about influencing the game on a wider scale and that white paper allows you to do any direction you choose, adhering to football's guidelines. That is the advantage of what we are building together.”

The aspirations are significant, those in leading roles are voicing opinions players and fans hope to hear and it will be compelling to follow the development of this organization, the club and any clubs added to the portfolio.

For a flavour of what is to come, which elements are crucial in a high-performance setting? “{It all starts and ends with|Everything begins and concludes with|The foundation and culmination involve