Women In Soccer: Building a Network To Advance Women On & Off the Field

July 9, 2021 

On July 13, Beyond Soccer will take a focus on initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across the soccer industry, supported by MLS Works and Official Partner, Women in Soccer (WIS). Today, we are featuring WIS and how they stepped up to create a community of women and allies united by the beautiful game. 

It’s been eight months since Women in Soccer officially launched in the US. Seeing that there wasn't an existing organization quite like them, and recognizing that women who work in and around soccer often find themselves isolated when pushing against gender barriers, a powerhouse group of women came together to fill the gap. Everything they do is grounded in the core values of inclusion, passion, action and grit.

The resulting network, which is free to join, wants its members to experience the transformative power of soccer without judgment or prejudice, whether that’s on the field, cheering from the stands, working in the business, aspiring to work in the business or working to change the game for the better. As Founder and sports psychologist Courtney Levinsohn shared with us, “there are so many women, organizations and allies already leading with purpose, and we’re psyched to get to spotlight them and get to know them.”

WIS provides a broad range of resources for its members and experiments with content that engages them in diverse ways, including allyship resources, a job board, networking opportunities, informative and entertaining community gatherings, regular podcasts and consistent amplification of member initiatives to name a few. Additionally, they help organizations, clubs, leagues and teams fill the professional pipeline of pathways into the industry with qualified candidates who might or would otherwise be overlooked. According to Levinsohn, the state of women in soccer today is evolving with the increase in visibility of the women's game leading to a massive shift on and off the field.

Their popular monthly "Brandi’s Corner" features WIS founding member and soccer great, Brandi Chastain, who leads interactive discussions to inspire, empower and connect women across all areas of personal and professional development. A special edition of Brandi's Corner will be taking place at Beyond Soccer addressing investment in the game. Joining Brandi will be ESPN anchor, Chicago Red Stars co-owner, and Emmy and Peabody Award-winning, Sarah Spain, and pioneer Maggie Murphy, who spearheaded a fan ownership model for English club Lewes FC and is their newly appointed CEO.

To date, WIS has 600+ members in more than 25 states and has gained consistent attention within the sector. Multiple organizations are recognizing their impact and are in talks to join the 'WIS wave'. “The National Women's Soccer League is interested and in talks about partnering, men’s leagues like the United Soccer Leage have seen the value in our programming and we have officially partnered with the USL and their new Women's League. Grassroots and nonprofit organizations have reaped benefits from brand promotion to activations, and members have both successfully found amazing candidates to hire and have been hired,” exclaimed Levinsohn.  

On the field, WIS feels soccer has entered a new era where professional players are driving the game and are exercising their right to take on sponsors who align with their values. They feel that leagues are expanding and becoming more introspective - with those who are given access to the game consistently in the spotlight, ranging from youth to professional levels. They also noted that more teams are entering the domestic league in the US, but not without a keen awareness of their values and their fan and ownership models. 

Off the field, they see a trend that is all about investment. From ownership to media rights, they feel that more players are demanding a decent living wage and proper training facilities. “It’s ringing true around the world that women’s soccer is here to stay as we see the major European clubs increase their attention to their women’s squads and as we see in reports like The Fan Project how media attention is making it blatantly obvious that the women’s game is a place that warrants the investment.” 

DEI is at the core of everything Women in Soccer does, building on the game's inclusive spirit. With their social impact focus, addressing remaining inequities within the game, such as homophobia, racism and anti-ableism, is also an area WIS wants to tackle.

"There's a long way to go when it comes to getting rid of all the injustices within women's soccer and the soccer sector as a whole," Levinsohn says. "However, the WIS community and allies of trailblazing women over the years within the sector have an all-time opportunity to change the direction of the beautiful game today and with some upcoming and current initiatives, they are at the beginning of making a change."

They recently launched an Olympic roster #BehindTheTeam campaign which goes "behind the USWNT" to highlight the incredible women whose work off the field is crucial in enabling players to take to their sports and do great things. In addition, they have partnered with the USL on an upcoming pitch contest which will help women thrive in and around the game, from leading their own organizations to giving back to the youth through soccer.

WIS will also be convening and celebrating the best of the best within the sector at their WIS Awards, which are set to take place at the end of 2021/ beginning of 2022. 

To join the Women in Soccer squad, click here! And, there's still time to register to join us at Beyond Soccer. Click here to learn more and sign up.