Everything You Need to Know About the Black Women’s Player Collective
Many times in recent years, women’s soccer has made the news because of a show of solidarity or initiative for social change. The Black Women’s Player Collective is one entity propelling the journey toward unity and equality. Here’s everything you need to know about the collective.
What is the Black Women’s Player Collective?
To start with the basics, the Black Women’s Player Collective is a nonprofit organization created by NWSL players in 2020. It aims to advance Black women and girls not just in soccer and sports but out in the world.
The BWPC serves as a network for mentorship and a community for Black women to elevate and value their presence in the sport and post-soccer careers.
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Who is Involved?
The Black Women’s Player Collective was founded by the Black players we know and love from the NWSL. BWPC’s board consists of USWNT players Midge Purce, Crystal Dunn, Imani Dorsey, Lynn Williams, and NWSL’s Ifeoma Onumonu and Jamia Fields.
Members include players like Tziarra King, Sophia Smith, Casey Krueger, and Sydney Leroux. In addition, plenty of white and non-Black players are signed up as Advocates for the BWPC, like Rose Lavelle, Sofia Huerta, and Megan Rapinoe.
What is its Mission?
This nonprofit aims to expose Black women and girls to soccer and all of its incredible benefits on and off the pitch. Through initiatives and platforms like the joy-focused Mini-Pitch initiative, the upcoming docu-series The Call Up, and the mentorship-focused Voice in Sport platform, BWPC is covering all fronts on promoting Black girls and women in soccer.
To achieve this goal, BWPC has partnered with brands like Adidas and organizations like Black Players for Change and the US Soccer Foundation. The individuals and groups that make up this expansive network of global resources are working to create a more accepting, diverse, and strong world through soccer.
The Black Women’s Player Collective and the powerful women involved are determined to elevate the next generation. The mission of this collective is not only to uplift new players but to continue the fight against racism. By making soccer more accessible and approachable to Black women and girls, the game can be played as it was intended–by everyone.
Through BWPC, Black soccer players can learn the athletic skills required of soccer, social and leadership qualities, and access the supportive community space that both celebrates differences and promotes equality. If you want to involve yourself or support BWPC, you can buy some merch, donate, or follow them on social media. And keep your eye on the hashtag #TheGameNeedsHer as this collective grows!
Featured image via @blackwplayerscollective on Instagram
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