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🌟 Exciting Updates in Women's Football! 🌟 1️⃣ Reading FC's Strategic Move ⬇ 😥 Reading FC has announced a difficult but strategic decision to withdraw from the Barclays Women’s Championship for the 2024-25 season, moving their Women’s First Team to Tier 5 of the Women's Football Pyramid. Despite an eleventh-hour bid falling through, this repositioning is a step towards rebuilding and securing a sustainable future for their women’s and girls’ program. While this decision is challenging, it reflects a commitment to creating a strong foundation for future growth. ⬇ For more information https://lnkd.in/ejvbx7sX 2️⃣ Seattle Reign's New Ownership Big news from across the pond! ⭐ The $58 million acquisition of Seattle Reign FC by the Seattle Sounders FC group and private equity firm the Carlyle Group has been finalized. This significant investment highlights the rising value and potential of women's football. The $58 million price tag is a dramatic increase in valuation of the team. OL Groupe bought the Reign for about $3.5 million in late 2019. The Sounders, alongside Carlyle, aim to propel Seattle Reign to new heights, building on the solid foundation set by former owners OL Groupe. Exciting times ahead for the Reign! ⬇ Check out more here https://lnkd.in/duSGbtAQ 3️⃣ NWSL's & UKG 'Beyond the Field' Initiative 🌟📚 The NWSL, in collaboration with UKG, has launched the pioneering 'Beyond the Field' program to empower players both on and off the pitch. This initiative provides NWSL athletes with essential resources like resume writing, project management, negotiation skills, and more. By fostering personal and professional development, the NWSL is ensuring players have a bright future beyond their football careers. Check it out ! ⬇ https://lnkd.in/enNif8xs 4️⃣ Football Australia and 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup 🇦🇺⚽️ Football Australia is thrilled to receive government funding support for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Building on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, this funding will further enhance women’s football in Australia, driving participation and showcasing the incredible talent of the CommBank Matildas. Investing in women's football not only promotes social inclusion but also delivers significant economic benefits. Info here ⬇ https://lnkd.in/dQck3As9 🌍⚽️ Let's celebrate these strides in women's football and continue to support the growth and success of the sport globally! #WomensFootball #GameChangers #business #investment #Betterfootball #Bettersociety

⚽️ A weekend filled with the WSL and catching up with friends... This weekend, I was lucky enough to watch Arsenal F.C Ladies play Chelsea at Emirates Stadium...after winning box tickets through being an Arsenal member..and even though the score was not on our side, it was an amazing experience. We had a great day watching a fantastic match in the Women’s Super League, and it reminded me of how much we can learn from these elite athletes and teams — both on and off the pitch. Here are three key takeaways: 💪🏽 Resilience in the Face of Challenges Whether it’s pushing through a tough match, overcoming injuries, or making a comeback after a setback, women's football teams are masters of resilience. In business, the ability to stay strong, learn from failure, and keep going despite challenges is crucial for long-term success. 🤝 Collaboration Over Individual Glory In football, it's not about one superstar — it’s about how the team works together to reach a common goal. The same applies to the workplace. Success comes from collaboration, trust, and communication. The best teams know how to play to each other's strengths and support each other, both on and off the field. ✨ Inspiring a New Generation Women's football has seen incredible growth in recent years, breaking attendance records and inspiring young girls to dream big. It shows the power of role models and the importance of visibility. In business, mentorship and leading by example are key to fostering the next generation of leaders. Let's support, celebrate, and learn from these incredible athletes who remind us of the power of teamwork, resilience, and ambition 💭 #WomenInSports #LeadershipLessons #Resilience

THE FUTURE OF WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: EVOLUTION OR REPETITION?   Is women’s football poised to repeat the mistakes of men’s leagues, or will it pave a unique and sustainable path? With its growing popularity, the question remains: will we see only 2 or 3 wealthy leagues, while others struggle to serve as player development hubs, selling talent to survive? Or will women’s football redefine the paradigm? ⚽ Sustainability and Appeal: Can women’s football sustain itself without subsidies or mandated investments? Will commercial strategies and marketing investments be robust enough to support entire teams? Can sponsors and fans alike commit long-term? Examples like the US National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), Women League Soccer (England) or Arkema Première Ligue (France) show promise, but what of the smaller leagues? 💡 A Five-Year Outlook: If guided by innovation and fairness, women's football can thrive. We need teams and leagues embracing digital fan engagement, robust sponsorship models, and equal visibility. For brands, supporting women’s football represents a commitment to inclusivity, authenticity and immense growth potential. 🕰 Women’s football can become more than a reflection of its male counterpart. By embracing innovation, sustainability and inclusion, we can build an ecosystem that thrives without being tethered to men's football. Are we ready to rewrite the future of the game? Will we learn from history and create a future where women’s football doesn’t just exist but excels? Share your thoughts below. ⬇️ #WomensFootball #SportsSustainability #FutureOfFootball #EqualOpportunities #SportsMarketing #GrowthPotential #FootballInnovation #PROPLAYER

Following the U.S. Women’s National Team’s (USWNT) match versus the Netherlands at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Wellington, New Zealand, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone announced a new partnership that is taking a two-decade-long collaboration to the next level and elevating soccer as a valued diplomatic tool both at home and abroad.      U.S. Department of State and U.S. Soccer Federation teamed up to use sport to boost shared peace and shared prosperity worldwide, with a focus on increasing educational access, economic equity, and social opportunity and inclusion for underserved groups, including youth, women, and people with physical and intellectual disabilities, in support of broader U.S. foreign policy goals.  The partnership comes at a historic time with U.S. Soccer hosting the upcoming 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, and with the Federation bidding to possibly host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States and Mexico.       In addition, this initiative enhances the Department’s ongoing sports diplomacy programming, including the State Department’s Sports Envoy Program, which sends professional American athletes and coaches overseas to promote cross-cultural understanding and empower the next generation of athletes as leaders through sport. Around 75 alumni of U.S. Soccer’s National Teams are now Sports Envoy Program alumni including Alex Morgan, Brandi Chastain, Carli Lloyd, Cobi Jones, Julie Foudy, Lorrie Fair, Tony Sanneh, and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone.  These Sports Envoys serve as ambassadors of American values, demonstrating the power of sports to bring people together and inspire positive change.      Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "Sports have the power to transcend borders and bring people together. Through this collaboration with U.S. Soccer, we were not only promoting the game but also fostering diplomacy and understanding among nations." U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone echoed these sentiments, highlighting the role of soccer in empowering individuals and communities. "Soccer is more than just a game; soccer is a force for good. By working with the U.S. Department of State, we expanded our reach and impact, bringing the joy and benefits of soccer to more people around the world."  

Episode Title: 🇬🇧Pioneering Women Transformed the Beautiful Game of Football🇬🇧 Today on Heads Talk, we are honoured to feature a remarkable & highly respected guest for the #HTSportsSeries. Through my research, I have been impressed by her achievements, especially during a time when women's football was not as popular or welcomed as it is today. She played a pivotal role in elevating the game to its current stature, truly a visionary & deservedly recognised for her 32-year contribution to the game. Barclays Women's Super League Hall of Fame Inductee #HallOfFame Kelly Simmons OBE, who recently took up the role of The Football Association Director of Women’s Professional Game, has been pivotal in transforming professional women’s football in England. She masterminded the first FA Women’s Professional Game Strategy, which has driven the growth of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, culminating in record-breaking sponsorship & media rights deals for women’s football. Previously, as The FA Director of Development, she oversaw the implementation of a £200 million, 4-year investment programme into children’s & grassroots football. The attendance of men at women's football games was discussed. I invite contributions in the comments on this question: As a man, have you attended a women's football game? What positive aspects did you notice & welcome in the men's games? Topics Covered: ◽️Kelly's Pioneering Career in the Beautiful Game ◽️Achievements in FA & Women's Football League ◽️Women's Football at the Turn of the 20th Century  ◽️Smart Sponsorship, Branding, Investment & Funding  ◽️Broadcasting, Media Outlets & Catering to the Diverse Audiences ◽️Impact of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 England Win  ◽️Men's Game to Give Reparation Money to the Women's Game?  ◽️Work with FIFA So download⏳grab a cup of Bird & Blend Tea Co. B Corp - Toffee Chai Tea ☕️& have a listen🛋 ◽️The Football Association - 𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕓𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕤𝕠𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕥𝕪 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕖 ◽️Zalina Swiss Organic | Premium Skin Food & Body Nutrition Code #HeadsTalk10   Full episode in comments #HeadsTalkPodcast #LinkedinSports Women's Professional Game UEFA EURO 2024 UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Women in Football Women's Football Alliance SHE KICKS | Women's Football Magazine WomenIn Football Next week we have a wonderful conversation with Abiola Ijasanmi, COO Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF)🇪🇬The Most Powerful Women in African Football🇪🇬 ✂.............. ⚪️ I am Elaine… ⚪️ …and together with FTSE/S&P CEOs, Executive CSuites, Leaders of Institutions; and Heads of Multinationals, we bring you the current trends & discussions in Business, Technology & Finance. Curious about what's on their agenda? Join us & become a #AFlyOnTheBoardroomWall. Click & Follow #HeadsTalk & Heads Talk to be notified of News & Guests Ring the bell (🔔) on my profile

Last night, I watched the Walter Cup-clinching game of the inaugural PWHL Finals. In between bouts of tears (the puck on the bottom of the trophy shattering the glass ceiling did me in) I thought a lot about the difference between diversity, inclusion, and equity. The fight for equitable representation (and pay) for professional women's sports has been long and messy. Watching Billie Jean King co-present the Walter Cup to Minnesota Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield hammered home how far we've come and how far we have to go. Since Kristen and I teach and train about DEI all the time, let's have a refresh. Diversity is reality: what we mean by this is that diversity of humans cannot be a goal, because diversity already exists. Therefore, inclusion is the goal. Inclusion is what happens when you create space, opportunities, and platforms for every kind of human. Diversity is having women's hockey teams. Women are athletes, women love hockey, and women love to play hockey. Inclusion is what we witnessed in this first season of the PWHL. Watching professional and PAID women hoist a championship cup over their heads, skating around the ice, and kissing it before handing it off was the perfect visual of what inclusion looks like. Equity is a long way away for professional women's sports. But if the WNBA, the NWSL, and the PWHL have shown is that inclusion is possible. It is achievable. And to those who it matters, it's damn profitable too. As a hockey fan since birth, I'm only delighted to live in a world where young aspiring hockey players (of any gender) will see the continued success of the PWHL. And hopefully see what's possible for them too. (Photo: Kendall Coyne Schofield hoisting the Walter Cup - photo credit to PWHL) #TheGoodDoctors #ladieswholead #inclusion #diversity #equity #leadership

Drawing Inspiration from the Women's FA Cup Final: Transforming Programmes for Success ⭐🏆 Yesterday I sat in a sold out Wembley with close to other 80,000 people to witness the Women's FA Cup Final game between Man Unt and Tottenham. With women's football seeing a meteoric rise in attendance, increased overall interest in the sport (from all genders) and growing revenue, the event captivated audiences worldwide with its display of skill, determination, and teamwork. I can't help but think it's essential to recognize the valuable lessons it offers beyond the realm of sports—specifically, in the context of programme transformation within businesses. The journey to the Women's FA Cup Final is a testament to the power of strategic planning, adaptability, and continuous improvement—key principles that in my experience resonate deeply with program transformation initiatives: 🧠🗺 Strategic planning played a pivotal role in the teams' success throughout the tournament. Just as businesses meticulously map out their goals, objectives, and action plans, football teams strategise their gameplay, analyse opponents' strengths and weaknesses, and make calculated decisions to stay ahead in the competition. 📈🚣♀️ Adaptability emerged as a critical factor in navigating the unpredictable twists and turns of the tournament. Teams encountered various challenges—be it injuries, tactical adjustments, or the May heat—but their ability to adapt on the fly allowed them to overcome obstacles and stay competitive. Similarly, in business, the capacity to adapt to changing market dynamics, technological advancements, and consumer preferences is essential for staying relevant and achieving sustainable growth. 🚀🌱 The Women's FA Cup Final showcased the significance of continuous improvement. Teams consistently refined their tactics, honed their skills, and learned from their experiences throughout the tournament, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and growth. Likewise, businesses must foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation, empowering employees to seek out opportunities for improvement and drive meaningful change within their programmes. Both the Women's FA Cup Final and any business organisation require strategic vision, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence to achieve success. As we draw inspiration from the remarkable achievements on the football pitch, let us apply these principles to our own endeavours in transforming programmes and driving positive change within our organisations 🎆 #transformation #strategicplaning #adaptability #continuousimprovement #delivery

🏳️🌈 Diversity, tolerance and equality are all social issues that also play a central role in football. However, successful teamwork is only possible if associations, institutions and industry advocate for female talent in particular to be given the opportunity to develop – both on and off the pitch. Like in the Future Leaders in Football workshop series. 🥇 We actively support the workshop series, brought into being by the DFB, the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, as a partner. To date, 90 participants have benefited from the content of the leadership workshops. The lessons learned have been fed back to around 25 football associations worldwide. Participants from 17 nations and four continents came together in Berlin for a highlight edition to further consolidate the skills acquired. 🌎 In the final session at the DRIVE. Volkswagen Group Forum in Berlin, it was evident just how important the project is to the participants. “Future Leaders in Football has become my second family,” said Rinesa Kryeziu from Kosovo. The programme proves that it is possible to use specific projects to teach skills and expertise to achieve equality in sport. We have embarked on this journey, but it is far from over. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, 25% minority owner of Manchester United, has expressed that the men's team remains his primary focus, while the women’s team is seen as merely an "opportunity." 🚫 The women’s game around the world has seen impressive financial growth, yet many club owners continue to operate with a narrow, old-fashioned mindset that places value solely on the men’s teams. ❗ The reluctance to recognize the women’s team as a serious business asset ultimately weakens a club’s ability to compete and innovate in the evolving sports market. In any other industry, such a narrow perspective would be seen as a fundamental failure in leadership. #sports #sportsbusiness #sportsnews #sportsbiz #womeninsports #womensfootball #womenssports #leadership #growth

Last week, I had the pleasure of taking my wife to Elland Road for the Blackburn Rovers game against Leeds United. Now, I must admit, my wife isn't exactly a football enthusiast – in fact, she tends to avoid the sport altogether, probably because of my own passion for it. However, to my surprise and delight, she thoroughly enjoyed the game and, most importantly, felt safe throughout the experience. This experience shed light on a prevalent issue: the misconception that football matches are inherently dangerous for women. Too often, sensationalist headlines and sweeping statements propagate this notion, deterring women from attending matches and perpetuating gender stereotypes in the process. It's crucial to address this misconception head-on. While instances of violence and aggression may occur in any crowded environment, including football stadiums, it's unfair and unfounded to generalize these incidents as representative of all matches. In reality, football stadiums are equipped with extensive security measures and protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees, regardless of gender. Instead of perpetuating fear, we should actively encourage inclusivity and diversity within football culture. Women have every right to enjoy the thrill of live matches without feeling threatened or unwelcome. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of respect and inclusivity, we can create a football community where everyone feels safe and valued. Let's debunk the myth and embrace a more inclusive future for football fandom