MEGAN RAPINOE JOINS ALL-STAR TEAM AT BEYOND SOCCER IN SAN FRANCISCO
U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe has announced she will join a panel discussion on the role of soccer in promoting gender equality at the Beyond Soccer Series – powered by streetfootballworld in San Francisco on June 23.
The World Cup and Olympic champion will join fellow USWNT star Hope Solo, Vancouver Whitecaps FC co-owner and San Francisco Giants principal partner Jeff Mallett, Major League Soccer’s Vice President of Social Media and CRM Amanda Vandervort, plus other big names from the world soccer and business for a discussion about tech, innovation and gender equity in soccer.
The event takes place at 6pm at the SFJAZZ Center on Thursday June 23rd – celebrated around the world as Olympic Day. Rapinoe, a key member of the USA’s recent World Cup-winning soccer team, is currently in a race to be fit for the 2016 Rio Games as she recovers from an ACL tear. The USA is seeking to defend the title they won in 2012.
“I’m very excited to take part in this important and timely debate about gender equality in soccer – both in terms of pay equality and how it relates to young women from underserved communities” said Rapinoe. “I’m especially looking forward to having the opportunity to talk about what more soccer can do to promote inclusivity for LGBTQ players, coaches and fans. Beyond Soccer is a great initiative that can help us put the spotlight on these important issues”.
2016 is arguably the biggest year in the history of soccer in the Bay Area, with the Copa America Centenario, MLS All-Star Game and the International Champions Cup all coming to the region over the summer. Together with the emergence of two new pro soccer teams in San Francisco, there has never been a bigger buzz around ‘the beautiful game.’ The Beyond Soccer Series – powered by streetfootballworld – arrives at the perfect time to spotlight the unique potential of soccer to tackle some of the biggest issues affecting youth in the USA and around the world and how the Bay Area’s expertise in innovation and technology can take the game to the next level.
The Beyond Soccer Series - powered by streetfootballworld, will be supported by Official Partners Major League Soccer (MLS) and Barclays as the event is introduced to the West Coast for the first time.
Previous speakers at the Beyond Soccer Series include Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, Soccer United Marketing President Kathy Carter, UNICEF USA CEO Caryl Stern, International Rescue Committee CEO David Miliband and soccer legend and NYCFC Head Coach Patrick Vieira. The Beyond Soccer Series will return to New York for the second edition of 2016 later in the year.
For more information on the Beyond Soccer Series 2016 and to purchase your ticket, please visit www.beyondsport.org and follow @BeyondSport on Twitter.