At its core, the purpose of this Network is to empower women soccer coaches by providing valuable resources, fostering a supportive community, and promoting leadership development. By providing resources and connection through networking events and symposiums. Our vision is to create a network of confident, skilled women coaches who lead with knowledge, passion, and innovation in the world of soccer.
Stay ahead in the game with our resource newsletters and webpage, packed with the highlights of the women’s game, lesson plans, leadership tips, and success stories from fellow women coaches
Community and Networking:
Connect with like-minded women in our during virtual or in person meetings where we share ideas, discuss challenges, and build lasting professional relationships
Leadership and Growth:
Attend our yearly symposium to learn from industry leaders, gain new insights, and take your coaching career to the next level
Empowerment:
Join a community that champions the growth, success, and visibility of women in coaching.
ANNA-KATE DEPAOLO
EASTERN
PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR & CREATOR OF LEADHER COACHING NETWORK
My coaching background includes having served as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at DeSales University, and as an assistant at Washington and Lee University, as well as Muhlenberg College. My coaching journey also includes roles at the club level at FC Delco, Montgomery United, and LVU. I hold USSF C, D, and Grassroots Licenses, a UEFA C License through the Scottish FA, as well as the Master Coach and Soccer Leader Certification.
I am thrilled to launch this network for female coaches within the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association. My vision is to create a supportive and impactful space where women coaches can learn, connect, and elevate the game together. Through this network, I hope to empower coaches, positively impact the players we mentor, and inspire more women to step into coaching roles and lead the next generation of female athletes. I look forward to the opportunity to uplift women coaches and strengthen our community!
NWSL HISTORIC CBA
Other key updates in the CBA include:
Season Schedule Flexibility:
Capping off an epic summer for women’s soccer, highlighted by the USWNT winning Gold at the Paris Olympics, the NWSL has announced a historic collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its players' association.
The new CBA, effective immediately, grants players more agency, compensation, and benefits than ever before.
The NWSL has made a groundbreaking move in American professional sports by eliminating the college draft. Instead, the league will allow players more freedom to negotiate with teams in an open market. While this approach is a first in the United States, it mirrors the norm in European soccer leagues, such as the Premier League and the Women’s Super League.
Removes limitations on the start and end dates of the season. Rather than running from March to November, the league will now operate from fall to spring.
Player Rights and Compensation:
Introduces guaranteed contracts, unrestricted free agency, increased individual salary caps (nearly doubling by 2030), and prohibits trades without player consent.
Workload Management:
Expanded parental leave
Childcare benefits
Enhanced mental health services
Charter flights for up to six legs per season (three round trips)
This agreement sets a new standard for what can be expected for professional athletes worldwide.
Photo: espn.com
WOMEN’S MATCH DAY WATCHLIST
AUG/SEPT 2024
07
NWSL
A Double Espresso Matchup: Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit host Sophia Smith and the Portland Thorns at 12:30 PM at Audi Field.
WSL
The WSL season kicks off on the weekend of 9/21 & 22. Watch American Emily Fox and Arsenal open their season against recently signed and current WSL top goal scorer Vivianne Miedema and Man City. Sunday, September 22 at 7:30 AM
DIVISION I
A matchup between 2 female head coaches: Jess Mannella leads the Saint Joseph’s Hawks, who host Kelly Cook and her Bucknell Bison. 7PM in Philadelphia, Pa
DIVISION II
PSAC powerhouse West Chester University coached by Betty Ann Kemp Townsley host Shippensburg on Wednesday 9/11 at 2PM before traveling to East Stroudsburg on Saturday 9/14, time TBA. WED SEPT 07
DIVISION III
Division III women’s soccer kicks off its season on the weekend of September 1st! TWO openers that feature female head coaches facing off:
Widener University vs. DeSales University, 7PM, Chester, Pa. EPA ODP Coach Melina Couzis takes the sidelines in her first year as head coach of DeSales University as they travel to Widener University, to face Melissa Frank’s squad
Elizabethtown College vs. Muhlenberg College, 4PM, Elizabethtown, Pa. Amy Hough and the Etown Blue Jays host Kathy Prescott and Muhlenberg College Mules
COACHING COURSE SCHEDULE FALL/WINTER 2024
9/7 10/27 10/27 11/16 11/16 DEC TBA
7V7 | SAFE-HUB, PHILADELPHIA PA
7V7 | LIONVILLE SC, DOWNINGTOWN, PA
9V9 | LIONVILLE SC, DOWNINGTOWN, PA
9V9 (SPANISH ONLY) | REAL FUTBOL CLUB, KENNET SQUARE, PA
11v11 (SPANISH ONLY) | REAL FUTBOL CLUB, KENNET SQUARE, PA
