January 20 – Sixth Street, the global investment firm and lead backer of Bay FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has announced that Kay Cossington, will join the company as Head of Global Women’s Football and CEO of Bay Collective, a groundbreaking multi-club organisation dedicated to advancing women’s football. Bay Collective is set to officially launch later in 2025.
Cossington, widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on women’s football, is currently the Women’s Technical Director at The English Football Association (FA).
During her tenure, she has spearheaded the development of the women’s game in England, aiding in modifying approaches to training, playing styles, and infrastructure while also prioritising long-term career pathways for athletes. Her efforts have been instrumental in the transformational rise of English women’s football over the past decade.
“As women’s football has experienced rapid growth in recent years, I believe we are at a critical inflection point,” said Cossington. “Now is the time to use this momentum to set even higher standards and start building something new and lasting to take the sport to its next glass-breaking level.”
Cossington will remain in her FA role until May 31, 2025, in an effort to ensure a smooth transition before taking the reins at Bay Collective.
In her new role, she will focus on creating a player and sport-first model for the organisation, leveraging Sixth Street’s resources and expertise in scaling businesses to ‘redefine what’s possible’ in women’s football.
“My lifelong vocation has been to empower women athletes and bring the strategy, resources, and recognition to our sport that it deserves,” said Cossington.
“I am incredibly proud of the standard of excellence we’ve achieved at The FA, and my time building this organisation and seeing all that it continues to produce will forever be one of the most fulfilling periods of my career.
“As women’s football has experienced rapid growth in recent years, I believe we are at a critical inflection point. Now is the time to use this momentum to set even higher standards and start building something new and lasting to take the sport to its next glass-breaking level.
“For decades, I have studied women’s football at every age and rank, across regions, leagues, and styles. My conclusion is clear: there is a better way to develop players on and off the pitch, build championship clubs, and keep our athletes at the centre of everything we do. We only need the resources and the will to do it.
“Alan and the team at Sixth Street share that vision, and I am excited about what we’re going to build together as we create a new kind of captivating, empowering, and winning global women’s football experience.”
Bay FC, founded in just 2023, announced their intentions with the world-record transfer of Zambian forward Racheal Kundananji for $785,000 (plus a potential $75,000 in add-ons) in February last year.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1737406419labto1737406419ofdlr1737406419owedi1737406419sni@g1737406419niwe.1737406419yrrah1737406419