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On Wednesday, the Bay Collective group announced the hiring of Anja van Ginhoven, the English national team's general manager under head coach Sarina Wiegman, to serve as their global women's football operations director. The new multi-club ownership body, featuring Bay FC of San Francisco as the initial addition in its portfolio, has a history in hiring individuals from the Football Association.

The appointment in recent months of Cossington, the influential previous technical director at the Football Association, as top executive served as a demonstration of ambition by this organization. She is deeply familiar with female football inside out and currently she has assembled a management group with profound insight of the history of women's football and packed with professional background.

Van Ginhoven is the third core member of the manager's inner circle to depart recently, following the chief executive departing prior to the Euros and deputy manager, Veurink, stepping down to assume the position of manager of Holland, but her move came sooner.

Leaving was a jarring experience, but “I had decided to leave the FA some time back”, Van Ginhoven explains. “The terms for four years, similar to Veurink and Wiegman did. When they renewed, I had already said I was uncertain whether I would. I was already used to the thought that post-Euros my time with England would end.”

The tournament became a sentimental competition as a result. “I remember very clearly, vividly, discussing with the head coach in which I informed her about my decision and then we said: ‘There’s just one dream, how amazing would it be to clinch the European title?’ Generally, dreams don't aspirations are realized often yet, remarkably, this one did.”

Sitting in an orange T-shirt, she has divided loyalties following her stint in England, where she was part of winning back-to-back European titles and worked within the manager's team for the Netherlands’ triumph in the 2017 European Championship.

“The English side will always hold an emotional connection for me. Therefore, it’s going to be tough, especially with the knowledge that the team are due to arrive for the international camp in the near future,” she notes. “Whenever the two nations face off, where do my loyalties lie? Right now I'm in Dutch colors, but tomorrow it’s white.”

You can change direction and move quickly in a speedboat. With a compact team such as ours, that’s easily done.

Bay FC was not in the plans when the management specialist determined it was time to move on, but the pieces fell into place at the right time. The chief executive started to bring people in and mutual beliefs were key.

“Virtually from the start we got together we had that click moment,” states she. “There was immediate understanding. We've discussed extensively on various topics concerning growing the sport and the methods we believe are correct.”

Cossington and Van Ginhoven are not the only figures to make a move from prominent roles in the European game for an uncharted opportunity across the Atlantic. The Spanish club's female football technical lead, González, has been unveiled as Bay Collective’s worldwide sports director.

“I was very attracted to that strong belief of the power within the female sport,” she says. “I'm familiar with Cossington for an extended period; during my tenure at Fifa, she served as England's technical director, and decisions like this come naturally when you are aware you are going to be surrounded by individuals who motivate you.”

The depth of knowledge among their staff makes them unique, notes she, as Bay Collective one of several fresh club ownership ventures which have emerged lately. “This is a key differentiator for us. Different approaches are acceptable, but we are firm in our belief in incorporating football expertise,” she adds. “Each of us have progressed within the women's game, throughout our careers.”

According to their online statement, the mission for the collective is to advocate and innovate a progressive and sustainable ecosystem of women’s football clubs, built on proven methods for the diverse needs of women in sport. Achieving this, with everyone on the same page, without having to justify actions for specific initiatives, is hugely liberating.

“I equate it to moving from a large ship to a fast boat,” says Van Ginhoven. “You’re basically driving in uncharted waters – that’s a Dutch saying, I'm unsure if it translates well – and it's necessary to trust your individual understanding and experience to choose wisely. Adjusting course and speeding up is possible with a speedboat. Within a compact team such as ours, that’s easily done.”

She adds: “With this opportunity, we have a completely white sheet of paper to build upon. In my view, what we do is about influencing the game more extensively and that white paper allows you to do anything you desire, adhering to football's guidelines. This is the appeal of what we are building together.”

Their goals are lofty, the management are voicing opinions players and fans are eager to hear and it will be compelling to observe the evolution of Bay Collective, the club and future additions to the group.

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