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This past Wednesday, this new ownership entity revealed the hiring of Van Ginhoven, the English national team's general manager under head coach Sarina Wiegman, to serve as their director of global women’s football operations. This new collective club ownership initiative, with the San Francisco-based Bay FC as the first club in its portfolio, has prior experience in bringing in talent from the Football Association.

The hiring earlier this year of Cossington, the prominent ex-technical director for the FA, as top executive served as a demonstration of ambition by this organization. She knows women’s football comprehensively and now has gathered a management group that possesses extensive knowledge of the evolution of the women's game and laden with experience.

Van Ginhoven is the third central staffer of the manager's inner circle to exit recently, with the chief executive departing prior to Euro 2025 and assistant coach, Veurink, stepping down to take up the role of head coach of the Netherlands, but Van Ginhoven's choice arrived more quickly.

Moving on was a jarring experience, but “My choice was made to exit the national setup well in advance”, Van Ginhoven says. “My agreement for four years, similar to the assistant and head coach did. As they re-signed, I had already said I was uncertain about renewing myself. I had grown accustomed to the whole idea that post-Euros my time with England would end.”

The Euros was a deeply felt tournament as a result. “It's sharp in my memory, having a conversation with Sarina where I basically told her regarding my plans and then we said: ‘There’s just one dream, how amazing would it be to clinch the European title?’ In life, it’s not like hopes materialize often however, against the odds, it actually happened.”

Sitting in an orange T-shirt, she experiences split allegiances post her tenure with the English team, where she helped achieve claiming two Euros in a row and was a part of Wiegman’s staff when the Netherlands won at Euro 2017.

“The English side will forever have a special place in my heart. Therefore, it’s going to be tough, notably since that the squad will be arriving for the upcoming fixtures soon,” she comments. “Whenever the two nations face off, who do I support? Right now I'm in Dutch colors, but tomorrow I'll be in white.”

In a speedboat, you can pivot and accelerate swiftly. In a lean group like this one, it's effortless to accomplish.

Bay FC was not part of the equation as the organisational wizard was deciding that a new chapter was needed, however the opportunity arose opportunely. The chief executive initiated the recruitment and mutual beliefs were crucial.

“Virtually from the start we got together we had that click moment,” states she. “You’re immediately on the same level. We've discussed extensively on various topics concerning growing the sport and the methods we believe are correct.”

Cossington and Van Ginhoven are among several to relocate from prominent roles within European football for a fresh start across the Atlantic. Atlético Madrid’s female football technical lead, González, has been announced as the organization's new global sporting director.

“I was highly interested by the firm conviction in the potential of the women’s game,” González says. “I'm familiar with Cossington for many years; when I used to work at Fifa, she served as England's technical director, and it’s easy to make these decisions when you are aware you will have around you people who really inspire you.”

The profound understanding among their staff sets them apart, explains she, with Bay Collective among a number recent multi-team projects to launch lately. “This is a key differentiator for us. Different approaches are acceptable, but we are firm in our belief in incorporating football expertise,” she says. “The entire leadership have progressed in female football, for most of our lives.”

According to their online statement, the goal of this group is to support and lead an advanced and lasting environment of women’s football clubs, based on what works to meet the varied requirements of women. Achieving this, with everyone on the same page, eliminating the need for persuasion for specific initiatives, is incredibly freeing.

“I equate it to transitioning from a tanker to a speedboat,” says she. “You are essentially navigating in uncharted waters – a common Dutch expression, not sure how it comes across – and you just need to rely on your own knowledge and expertise to make the right decision. You can change direction and move quickly with a speedboat. In a lean group like this, that’s easily done.”

González notes: “In this role, we start with a blank slate to build upon. Personally, what we do focuses on impacting football on a much broader level and that white paper permits you to undertake anything you desire, adhering to football's guidelines. That’s the beauty of our collective project.”

The aspirations are significant, the executives are saying the things the football community want to hear and it will be interesting to observe the evolution of Bay Collective, the team and any clubs added to the portfolio.

As a preview of upcoming developments, what factors are essential for a top-level environment? “{It all starts and ends with|Everything begins and concludes with|The foundation and culmination involve