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Midweek, this new ownership entity revealed the hiring of Van Ginhoven, the English national team's managerial lead under head coach Sarina Wiegman, as their overseer of worldwide women's football activities. This new collective club ownership initiative, which includes the San Francisco-based Bay FC as the inaugural team within its group, has previously engaged in bringing in talent from the national football governing body.

The appointment earlier this year of Cossington, the influential previous technical director at the Football Association, as top executive served as a demonstration of ambition from the collective. Cossington understands women’s football comprehensively and now she has assembled a management group with a deep understanding of women’s football history and packed with professional background.

Van Ginhoven becomes the third key figure of Wiegman’s setup to depart recently, with Cossington exiting before the Euros and assistant coach, Veurink, moving on to assume the position of manager of the Dutch national team, but Van Ginhoven's choice arrived more quickly.

Moving on was a shock to the system, yet “I had decided to depart the Football Association well in advance”, she says. “My agreement lasting four years, exactly like Veurink and Wiegman did. Upon their extension, I had expressed I was uncertain if I would do the same. I was already used to the notion that post-Euros I would no longer be involved with the national team.”

The Euros was an emotional competition because of this. “I remember very clearly, vividly, speaking with Sarina when I disclosed of my choice and after which we agreed: ‘Our ultimate aspiration, what a triumph it would represent to clinch the European title?’ Generally, it's rare that aspirations are realized every day but, remarkably, it actually happened.”

Sitting in an orange T-shirt, Van Ginhoven holds dual affections after her time with the English team, where she helped achieve claiming two Euros in a row and was a part of Wiegman’s staff during the Dutch victory at Euro 2017.

“England will forever have a special place in my heart. So, it will be challenging, particularly now knowing that the players are due to arrive for the international camp shortly,” she notes. “When England plays the Netherlands, where do my loyalties lie? Right now I'm in Dutch colors, though tomorrow English white.”

In a speedboat, you can pivot and accelerate swiftly. With a compact team such as ours, that’s easily done.

The club was not part of the equation as the management specialist was deciding that a new chapter was needed, but everything aligned perfectly. Cossington started to bring people in and common principles proved essential.

“Essentially upon meeting we met we experienced an instant connection,” states Van Ginhoven. “You’re immediately on the same level. We have spoken at length on various topics concerning growing the sport and our shared vision for the right approach.”

Cossington and Van Ginhoven are among several to make a move from high-profile jobs within European football for a blank sheet of paper in the United States. The Spanish club's technical director for women's football, González, has been introduced as Bay Collective’s worldwide sports director.

“I was highly interested by the firm conviction of the power of women's football,” she explains. “I've been acquainted with Kay Cossington for an extended period; 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 extensive expertise in their team distinguishes them, notes Van Ginhoven, with Bay Collective among a number recent multi-team projects which have emerged over the past few years. “This is a key differentiator for us. Various methods are valid, but we definitely believe in having that football knowledge on board,” she states. “All three of us have been on a journey in women’s football, for most of our lives.”

According to their online statement, the ambition of this group is to champion and pioneer a forward-thinking and durable system of women’s football clubs, based on what works to meet the varied requirements of women. Doing that, with collective agreement, without having to justify actions for specific initiatives, is hugely liberating.

“I liken it to moving from a large ship to a fast boat,” says Van Ginhoven. “You are essentially navigating in uncharted waters – that’s a Dutch saying, I'm unsure if it translates well – and it's necessary to trust your own knowledge and expertise to make the right decision. Adjusting course and speeding up is possible with a speedboat. In a lean group like this, it's straightforward to accomplish.”

González notes: “In this role, we start with a blank slate to start with. Personally, our work involves shaping the sport on a wider scale and that blank slate allows you to do whatever you want, adhering to football's guidelines. This is the appeal of what we are building together.”

The ambition is high, those in leading roles are saying the things the football community are eager to hear and it will be compelling to monitor the progress of the collective, Bay FC and any clubs added to the portfolio.

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