Why Top Figures Prefer American Multi-Club 'Speedboat' Instead of Football Association 'Tanker' Models?

On Wednesday, the Bay Collective group disclosed the recruitment of Anja van Ginhoven, England's general manager working with Sarina Wiegman, taking on the role of director of global women’s football operations. This new collective club ownership initiative, which includes San Francisco’s Bay FC as its first club within its group, has prior experience in bringing in talent from the Football Association.

The hiring in recent months of Kay Cossington, the well-respected previous technical director at the Football Association, as top executive acted as a signal of intent from the collective. She is deeply familiar with the women's game inside out and now has gathered an executive team with a deep understanding of women’s football history and packed with practical experience.

Van Ginhoven becomes the third key figure of Wiegman's coaching team to exit this year, following Cossington exiting before Euro 2025 and deputy manager, Veurink, stepping down to take up the role of head manager of the Netherlands, but her decision arrived more quickly.

Leaving has been a jarring experience, yet “I’d taken my decision to exit the national setup some time back”, she says. “The terms covering four years, similar to Veurink and Wiegman did. When they renewed, I had expressed I didn’t know whether I would. I had accepted the notion that following the tournament I wouldn’t be part of England any more.”

The Euros was an emotional event as a result. “It's sharp in my memory, speaking with the head coach in which I informed her regarding my plans and after which we agreed: ‘Our ultimate aspiration, how incredible it would be that we win the Euros?’ Generally, it’s not like hopes materialize every day but, absolutely incredibly, this one did.”

Sitting in an orange T-shirt, she experiences split allegiances after her time in England, where she helped achieve securing consecutive European championships and served on the coaching setup when the Netherlands won the 2017 Euros.

“The national team retains an emotional connection for me. Therefore, it’s going to be tough, notably since that the team are scheduled to come for the international camp shortly,” she notes. “When England plays the Netherlands, which side do I back? I’m wearing orange at the moment, but tomorrow it’s white.”

In a speedboat, you can pivot and accelerate swiftly. In a small team like this, that’s easily done.

The club was not part of the equation as the management specialist concluded that a new chapter was needed, however the pieces fell into place opportunely. The chief executive started to bring people in and their shared values were key.

“Almost from the very first moment we met we felt immediate synergy,” says she. “There was immediate understanding. Our conversations have been thorough regarding multiple aspects around how you grow the game and what we think is the right way.”

The two leaders are not alone to make a move from well-known positions within European football for an uncharted opportunity in the United States. Atlético Madrid’s technical director for women's football, Patricia González, has been announced as the organization's new global sporting director.

“I was highly interested in the deep faith of the power of women's football,” González says. “I've been acquainted with Kay Cossington for an extended period; back when I was with Fifa, she was the technical director of England, and decisions like this come naturally knowing you will have around you people who really inspire you.”

The profound understanding within their group distinguishes them, explains Van Ginhoven, as Bay Collective among a number fresh club ownership ventures which have emerged in recent years. “It's a standout feature of our approach. It’s OK that people do things in different ways, however we strongly feel in ensuring deep football understanding,” she adds. “The entire leadership have traveled a path in female football, throughout our careers.”

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 to meet the varied requirements of female athletes. Doing that, with collective agreement, without having to justify actions for specific initiatives, is incredibly freeing.

“I equate it to moving from a large ship to a fast boat,” states Van Ginhoven. “You are essentially navigating across unmapped territories – a common Dutch expression, I don’t know if it translates – and you just need to rely on your personal insight and skills to make the right decision. Adjusting course and speeding up is possible using a speedboat. In a lean group like this, that is simple to achieve.”

González adds: “Here, we start with a blank slate to work from. Personally, what we do involves shaping the sport on a wider scale and that white paper allows you to do anything you desire, adhering to football's guidelines. That’s the beauty of our collective project.”

The ambition is high, those in leading roles are saying the things athletes and supporters want to hear and it will be compelling to observe the evolution of this organization, Bay FC and future additions to the group.

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