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Midweek, Bay Collective disclosed the hiring of Van Ginhoven, England's managerial lead working with Sarina Wiegman, taking on the role of director of global women’s football operations. This freshly established multi-team ownership group, which includes Bay FC of San Francisco as its initial addition among its holdings, has prior experience in hiring individuals from the English FA.

The hiring earlier this year of Kay Cossington, the influential former FA technical director, as top executive served as a demonstration of ambition from Bay Collective. Cossington knows female football comprehensively and now she has assembled a leadership team that possesses extensive knowledge of the evolution of the women's game and filled with professional background.

Van Ginhoven marks the third central staffer of Wiegman's coaching team to depart in the current year, following the chief executive leaving before the European Championships and deputy manager, Veurink, moving on to assume the position of manager of Holland, however her move arrived more quickly.

Leaving was a jarring experience, yet “My choice was made to depart the Football Association quite a long time ago”, she explains. “My agreement covering four years, exactly like Veurink and Wiegman had. Upon their extension, I previously indicated I didn’t know if I would do the same. I was already used to the whole idea that after the European Championship I wouldn’t be part of England any more.”

The Euros turned into an emotional event due to that. “I remember very clearly, vividly, speaking with the head coach in which I informed her about my decision and we then remarked: ‘There’s just one dream, what a triumph it would represent to clinch the European title?’ Generally, it's rare that aspirations are realized every day however, against the odds, ours came true.”

Sitting in an orange T-shirt, she holds dual affections after her time with the English team, during which she contributed to securing consecutive European championships and served on the coaching setup when the Netherlands won the 2017 Euros.

“The English side retains a dear spot in my heart. Therefore, it will be challenging, notably since that the team are due to arrive for the international camp soon,” she comments. “In matches between England and the Netherlands, where do my loyalties lie? I’m wearing orange at the moment, but tomorrow it’s white.”

A speedboat allows for rapid direction changes. With a compact team such as ours, that is simple to achieve.

Bay FC was not in the plans as the strategic expert concluded it was time to move on, however the opportunity arose perfectly. The chief executive started to bring people in and mutual beliefs proved essential.

“Almost from the very first moment we connected we experienced an instant connection,” remarks Van Ginhoven. “You’re immediately on the same level. Our conversations have been thorough about different things related to developing women's football and what we think is the right way.”

Cossington and Van Ginhoven are among several to make a move from well-known positions within European football for a fresh start across the Atlantic. Atlético Madrid’s women’s technical director, González, has been introduced as the group's global sporting director.

“I was very attracted in the deep faith in the potential of women's football,” she comments. “I have known Kay Cossington for many years; when I used to work at Fifa, she served as England's technical director, and it’s easy to make these decisions when you are aware you'll be working alongside colleagues who drive you.”

The extensive expertise among their staff sets them apart, says Van Ginhoven, with Bay Collective one of several fresh club ownership ventures which have emerged in recent years. “This is a key differentiator for us. Various methods are valid, but we definitely believe in incorporating football expertise,” she says. “All three of us have traveled a path in female football, for most of our lives.”

According to their online statement, the ambition for the collective is to support and lead an advanced and lasting environment of women’s football clubs, built on proven methods for the diverse needs of women in sport. Succeeding in this, with collective agreement, with no need to make the case for specific initiatives, is hugely liberating.

“I compare it with moving from a large ship to a fast boat,” says she. “You are essentially navigating across unmapped territories – as we say in the Netherlands, not sure how it comes across – and it's necessary to trust your own knowledge and expertise to choose wisely. You can change direction and move quickly using a speedboat. In a small team like this, that is simple to achieve.”

She adds: “With this opportunity, we have a completely white sheet of paper to start with. In my view, our work involves shaping the sport on a much broader level and that blank slate allows you to do whatever you want, adhering to football's guidelines. That is the advantage of our collective project.”

The ambition is high, the executives are expressing sentiments 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 in a high-performance setting? “{It all starts and ends with|Everything begins and concludes with|The foundation and culmination involve