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On Wednesday, the Bay Collective group disclosed the appointment of Van Ginhoven, the English national team's managerial lead under head coach Sarina Wiegman, taking on the role of overseer of worldwide women's football activities. This new multi-club ownership body, featuring Bay FC of San Francisco as its inaugural team among its holdings, has a history in hiring individuals from the English FA.

The selection earlier this year of Kay Cossington, the prominent ex-technical director for the FA, as top executive was a signal of intent from this organization. Cossington understands female football thoroughly and now she has assembled an executive team with profound insight of women’s football history and packed with experience.

Van Ginhoven is the third key figure of the manager's inner circle to exit in the current year, with Cossington departing prior to the European Championships and assistant coach, Arjan Veurink, moving on to take up the role of head coach of Holland, however her decision arrived more quickly.

Moving on proved to be a shock to the system, yet “I’d taken my decision to leave the FA quite a long time ago”, she says. “I had a contract for four years, exactly like the assistant and head coach had. Upon their extension, I previously indicated I didn’t know if I would do the same. I was already used to the notion that following the tournament I would no longer be involved with the national team.”

The Euros became a sentimental competition because of this. “I remember very clearly, vividly, having a conversation with the head coach where I basically told her of my choice and after which we agreed: ‘We share a single dream, what a triumph it would represent to clinch the European title?’ In reality, dreams don't aspirations are realized frequently but, remarkably, this one did.”

Wearing a Netherlands-colored shirt, she experiences split allegiances post her tenure with the English team, where she helped achieve securing consecutive European championships and was a part of the coaching setup during the Dutch victory at Euro 2017.

“The national team retains a dear spot in my heart. Therefore, it’s going to be tough, notably since that the players will be arriving for the international camp shortly,” she comments. “In matches between England and the Netherlands, who do I support? Today I have on orange, though tomorrow English white.”

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

The club was not in the plans when the management specialist concluded that it was time for a change, however the opportunity arose perfectly. The chief executive began assembling the team and common principles proved essential.

“Almost from the very first moment we met we felt immediate synergy,” says Van Ginhoven. “We were instantly aligned. Our conversations have been thorough about different things concerning growing the sport and the methods we believe are correct.”

These executives are not alone to make a move from well-known positions in the European game for a fresh start in the United States. The Spanish club's female football technical lead, González, has been unveiled as Bay Collective’s new global sporting director.

“I was very attracted by the firm conviction regarding the strength of the women’s game,” González says. “I'm familiar with Cossington for a long time; back when I was with Fifa, she held the technical director role for England, and such choices are straightforward when you know you are going to be surrounded by individuals who motivate you.”

The extensive expertise among their staff sets them apart, explains Van Ginhoven, with Bay Collective one of several recent multi-team projects to launch lately. “This is a key differentiator for us. Different approaches are acceptable, but we definitely believe in having that football knowledge on board,” she states. “The entire leadership have traveled a path in female football, for most of our lives.”

As their website states, the mission for the collective is to support and lead a forward-thinking and durable system within female football clubs, based on what works to meet the varied requirements of female athletes. Doing that, with unified understanding, with no need to make the case for specific initiatives, is incredibly freeing.

“I liken it to going from a tanker to a speedboat,” states Van Ginhoven. “You are essentially navigating through waters that there are no roadmaps for – a common Dutch expression, I don’t know if it translates – and you must depend on your personal insight and skills to make the right decision. You can change direction and move quickly using a speedboat. In a small team like this, that’s easily done.”

González notes: “With this opportunity, we have a completely white sheet of paper to work from. For me, our mission is about influencing the game on a wider scale and that white paper permits you to undertake any direction you choose, adhering to football's guidelines. That’s the beauty of our joint endeavor.”

Their goals are lofty, those in leading roles are saying the things the football community hope to hear and it will be compelling to observe the evolution of the collective, the team and future additions to the group.

To get a sense of future plans, which elements are crucial in a high-performance setting? “{It all starts and ends with|Everything begins and concludes with|The foundation and culmination involve