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This past Wednesday, this new ownership entity revealed the recruitment of Anja van Ginhoven, the English national team's managerial lead under head coach Sarina Wiegman, to serve as their director of global women’s football operations. This new multi-club ownership body, featuring the San Francisco-based Bay FC as the initial addition in its portfolio, has a history in recruiting from the national football governing body.

The hiring earlier this year of Kay Cossington, the prominent previous technical director at the Football Association, as the chief executive was a demonstration of ambition by the collective. She knows female football thoroughly and now has gathered a leadership team that possesses extensive knowledge of women’s football history and filled with experience.

Van Ginhoven is the third core member of Wiegman's coaching team to leave in the current year, following the chief executive leaving before the European Championships and assistant coach, Veurink, moving on to become head manager of Holland, however her decision was made earlier.

Moving on was a shock to the system, yet “My choice was made to exit the national setup quite a long time ago”, Van Ginhoven explains. “The terms lasting four years, similar to Veurink and Wiegman had. As they re-signed, I previously indicated I wasn't sure about renewing myself. I was already used to the whole idea that after the European Championship I wouldn’t be part of England any more.”

The tournament was an emotional competition as a result. “I remember very clearly, vividly, having a conversation with Sarina where I basically told her about my decision and we then remarked: ‘There’s just one dream, how amazing would it be that we win the Euros?’ In life, it's rare that hopes materialize frequently however, remarkably, this one did.”

Wearing a Netherlands-colored shirt, she holds dual affections post her tenure with the English team, during which she contributed to winning back-to-back European titles and served on the coaching setup for the Netherlands’ triumph at Euro 2017.

“The English side retains a dear spot in my heart. So, it’s going to be tough, notably since that the players are scheduled to come for the upcoming fixtures shortly,” she says. “Whenever the two nations face off, where do my loyalties lie? I’m wearing orange at the moment, but tomorrow I'll be in white.”

A speedboat allows for rapid direction changes. In a small team like this, that is simple to achieve.

Bay FC was not in the plans as the strategic expert was deciding it was time to move on, however everything aligned at the right time. Cossington started to bring people in and mutual beliefs proved essential.

“Virtually from the start we met we felt immediate synergy,” states she. “We were instantly aligned. We have spoken at length regarding multiple aspects concerning growing the sport and our shared vision for the right approach.”

These executives are not the only figures to make a move from well-known positions in Europe's football scene for a blank sheet of paper in the US. Atlético Madrid’s female football technical lead, González, has been introduced as the group's worldwide sports director.

“I was very attracted by the firm conviction of the power within the female sport,” González says. “I've been acquainted with Kay Cossington for a long time; back when I was with Fifa, she held the technical director role for England, and it’s easy to make these decisions when you know you will have around you individuals who motivate you.”

The depth of knowledge in their team distinguishes them, notes Van Ginhoven, with Bay Collective among a number new multi-club initiatives which have emerged over the past few years. “This is a key differentiator for us. Different approaches are acceptable, however we strongly feel in ensuring deep football understanding,” she states. “Each of us have traveled a path in women’s football, throughout our careers.”

As their website states, the ambition of Bay Collective is to advocate and innovate an advanced and lasting environment of women’s football clubs, founded on effective practices to meet the varied requirements of women in sport. Succeeding in this, with unified understanding, without having to justify actions regarding certain decisions, is incredibly freeing.

“I liken it to transitioning from a tanker to a speedboat,” remarks she. “You are essentially navigating across unmapped territories – that’s a Dutch saying, I'm unsure if it translates well – and you must depend on your own knowledge and expertise to choose wisely. Adjusting course and speeding up is possible in a speedboat. Within a compact team such as ours, it's straightforward to accomplish.”

She adds: “With this opportunity, we start with a blank slate to start with. In my view, what we do involves shaping the sport on a wider scale and that white paper permits you to undertake anything you desire, within the rules of the game. That is the advantage of what we are building together.”

The ambition is high, those in leading roles are voicing opinions players and fans are eager to hear and it will be interesting to follow the development of this organization, the club and future additions to the group.

As a preview of upcoming developments, 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