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Midweek, Bay Collective disclosed the recruitment of Anja van Ginhoven, England's general manager under head coach Sarina Wiegman, as their overseer of worldwide women's football activities. The new collective club ownership initiative, with the San Francisco-based Bay FC as the inaugural team within its group, has a history in bringing in talent from the English FA.

The selection earlier this year of Kay Cossington, the prominent ex-technical director for the FA, to the CEO role served as a signal of intent by the collective. She knows women’s football inside out and now has put together an executive team with a deep understanding of women’s football history and filled with experience.

Van Ginhoven marks the third central staffer of the manager's inner circle to leave recently, with Cossington departing before the European Championships and assistant coach, Veurink, moving on to become manager of Holland, but Van Ginhoven's choice arrived more quickly.

Leaving has been a jarring experience, but “I had decided to exit the national setup quite a long time ago”, Van Ginhoven explains. “My agreement lasting four years, exactly like Veurink and Wiegman did. As they re-signed, I previously indicated I wasn't sure about renewing myself. I had grown accustomed to the whole idea that after the European Championship I would no longer be involved with the national team.”

The Euros became a deeply felt event due to that. “I remember very clearly, vividly, speaking with the head coach where I basically told her regarding my plans and we then remarked: ‘We share a single dream, what a triumph it would represent to clinch the European title?’ In life, it’s not like dreams come true frequently but, against the odds, this one did.”

Sitting in an orange T-shirt, she has divided loyalties after her time working in England, where she was part of winning back-to-back European titles and worked within Wiegman’s staff when the Netherlands won at Euro 2017.

“England will always hold an emotional connection for me. Therefore, it will be challenging, particularly now knowing that the team are due to arrive for the upcoming fixtures soon,” she says. “When England plays the Netherlands, who do I support? I’m wearing orange at the moment, but tomorrow it’s white.”

You can change direction and move quickly in a speedboat. With a compact team such as ours, that is simple to achieve.

The American side was not initially considered as the management specialist determined that it was time for a change, however the pieces fell into place at the right time. Cossington started to bring people in and common principles were key.

“Essentially upon meeting we met we experienced an instant connection,” says she. “You’re immediately on the same level. We have spoken at length on various topics around how you grow the game and what we think is the right way.”

These executives are among several to make a move from high-profile jobs in Europe's football scene for a blank sheet of paper in the US. Atlético Madrid’s female football technical lead, González, has been introduced as the organization's new global sporting director.

“I was very attracted to that strong belief of the power of women's football,” she says. “I have known Kay Cossington for an extended period; back when I was with Fifa, she was the technical director of England, and it’s easy to make these decisions knowing you'll be working alongside colleagues who drive you.”

The profound understanding within their group distinguishes them, says Van Ginhoven, for the collective one of several fresh club ownership ventures that have started in recent years. “That’s one of our unique selling points. Various methods are valid, but we definitely believe in having that football knowledge on board,” she states. “The entire leadership have progressed in female football, probably for the best part of our lives.”

As outlined on their site, the mission of this group is to champion and pioneer a forward-thinking and durable system within female football clubs, founded on effective practices to meet the varied requirements of women. Achieving this, with everyone on the same page, eliminating the need for persuasion for why you would take certain actions, is incredibly freeing.

“I compare it with moving from a large ship to a fast boat,” remarks she. “You’re basically driving through waters that there are no roadmaps for – a common Dutch expression, I'm unsure if it translates well – and you must depend on your personal insight and skills to make the right decision. You can pivot and accelerate rapidly with a speedboat. In a small team like this, that is simple to achieve.”

González adds: “Here, we start with a blank slate to work from. In my view, our work is about influencing the game on a much broader level and that white paper enables you to pursue whatever you want, following the sport's regulations. That’s the beauty of our collective project.”

The ambition is high, those in leading roles are voicing opinions athletes and supporters hope to hear and it will be fascinating to monitor the progress of the collective, the club and any clubs added to the portfolio.

For a flavour of what is to come, 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