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This past Wednesday, the Bay Collective group announced the recruitment of Van Ginhoven, England's general manager working with head coach Sarina Wiegman, as their director of global women’s football operations. The freshly established collective club ownership initiative, with Bay FC of San Francisco as its initial addition in its portfolio, has previously engaged in hiring individuals from the Football Association.

The appointment earlier this year of Cossington, the well-respected ex-technical director for the FA, as the chief executive acted as a clear statement by the collective. Cossington knows female football comprehensively and now has put together a leadership team with profound insight of the history of women's football and packed with experience.

Van Ginhoven marks the third central staffer of Wiegman’s setup to exit in the current year, following Cossington departing prior to the Euros and assistant coach, Arjan Veurink, stepping down to become head manager of Holland, however Van Ginhoven's choice came sooner.

Moving on proved to be a shock to the system, yet “I had decided to exit the national setup well in advance”, Van Ginhoven explains. “The terms lasting four years, similar to the assistant and head coach had. Upon their extension, I previously indicated I wasn't sure about renewing myself. I had grown accustomed to the notion that following the tournament I would no longer be involved with the national team.”

The tournament turned into a sentimental event due to that. “I recall distinctly, having a conversation with Sarina where I basically told her about my decision and then we said: ‘Our ultimate aspiration, what a triumph it would represent to clinch the European title?’ In life, dreams don't hopes materialize frequently however, against the odds, ours came true.”

Dressed in orange, she has divided loyalties after her time with the English team, where she was part of securing consecutive European championships and worked within Wiegman’s staff during the Dutch victory the 2017 Euros.

“The national team will always hold a special place in my heart. So, it will be challenging, notably since that the squad will be arriving for the international camp in the near future,” she comments. “Whenever the two nations face off, which side do I back? Right now I'm in Dutch colors, but tomorrow I'll be in white.”

You can change direction and move quickly in a speedboat. With a compact team such as ours, that is simple to achieve.

The club was not part of the equation when the organisational wizard determined that it was time for a change, but everything aligned opportunely. Cossington started to bring people in and their shared values were crucial.

“Essentially upon meeting we got together we felt immediate synergy,” states she. “You’re immediately on the same level. We've discussed extensively on various topics concerning growing the sport and our shared vision for the right approach.”

Cossington and Van Ginhoven are not alone to uproot themselves from high-profile jobs in the European game for a blank sheet of paper in the US. Atlético Madrid’s women’s technical director, Patricia González, has been introduced as the organization's global sporting director.

“I was highly interested in the deep faith in the potential of women's football,” González comments. “I have known Kay Cossington for a long time; during my tenure at Fifa, she was the technical director of England, and decisions like this come naturally when you are aware you are going to be surrounded by people who really inspire you.”

The profound understanding among their staff distinguishes them, says Van Ginhoven, for the collective part of a group new multi-club initiatives which have emerged lately. “It's a standout feature of our approach. Various methods are valid, however we strongly feel in incorporating football expertise,” she states. “All three of us have progressed in women’s football, for most of our lives.”

As outlined on their site, the ambition of Bay Collective is to advocate and innovate an advanced and lasting environment for women's football clubs, founded on effective practices addressing the different demands of women. Achieving this, with everyone on the same page, with no need to make the case for specific initiatives, is hugely liberating.

“I equate it to moving from a large ship to a fast boat,” says Van Ginhoven. “You're journeying in uncharted waters – a common Dutch expression, not sure how it comes across – and you must depend on your personal insight and skills for making correct choices. You can pivot and accelerate rapidly in a speedboat. In a small team like this, it's straightforward to accomplish.”

González notes: “In this role, we begin with a clean canvas to start with. In my view, what we do is about influencing the game on a wider scale and that blank slate permits you to undertake anything you desire, following the sport's regulations. That’s the beauty of what we are building together.”

Their goals are lofty, those in leading roles are voicing opinions athletes and supporters want to hear and it will be compelling to follow the development of this organization, Bay FC and any clubs added to the portfolio.

To get a sense of future plans, which elements are crucial for a top-level environment? “{It all starts and ends with|Everything begins and concludes with|The foundation and culmination involve