TAMPA, Fla.- The United Soccer League (USL) today announced the launch of the 2021 USL Changemakers Awards presented by Women In Soccer (WIS). The USL Changemakers Awards will be used to recognize women within the USL ecosystem who are making positive changes both on and off the pitch and in their front offices.
“We are excited to honor, celebrate, and showcase the talent in our front offices,” said Lizzie Seedhouse, Sr. Vice President of Strategy and Engagement. “From rising stars to creative visionaries and experienced leadership, we believe that these awards will shine a light on some of the great work being done across the country and within the USL ecosystem.”
The 2021 USL Changemakers Award categories are as follows:
COMMUNITY CHAMPION - You are a leader in fan engagement and community experience. You’re a pro at filling stadiums and making people in your community feel thoughtfully considered.
RISING STAR - You are on your way up! Nothing is stopping you from reaching the next level in your work game. You are making a positive impact right from the start.
CAPTAIN AWARD - You are producing the best leadership in the sports industry. People think of you and say, “they are consistently making us all better.” (Executive/Owner of the year)
VISIONARY AWARD - You are a creative leader and have produced unrivaled content experiences through digital media, merch design, or on the mic.
INNOVATOR AWARD - You broke old boundaries and brought a fresh perspective to what soccer culture can look like amidst a pandemic. (A one-time award for someone who mastered pivoting during the wildly unprecedented year.)
All USL club employees who identify as a woman or non-binary and are over the age of 18 may be nominated for these awards.
"We’re stoked to present the USL Changemakers Awards as a way to recognize and honor the people who are shaping soccer culture for the better,” said Rachel LaSala, Managing Director of Women In Soccer. “These awards will act as a spotlight for others to see the amazing work going on to develop the future of the industry!"
Each submission for the Changemakers Awards will be reviewed by a panel of Women In Soccer judges, including Pip Penman, WIS Content Producer, Maggie Ntim, Founder & CEO Trinity3Agency & WIS Board Member, and Max Hunter, CEO of Stories and Theories & WIS Board Member. The judges will determine the finalists for the 2021 USL Changemakers Awards and voting for the winners will be made available to all WIS members, USL employees and the general public.
Nominations for the USL Changemakers Awards open today and will remain open until Monday, November 15 at 11:59 pm ET. Voting for the USL Changemakers Awards will open on Tuesday, November 23 through Tuesday, December 7. The winners of the USL Changemakers Awards will be announced at USL’s Winter Summit on December 13-15.
To submit your nomination for the 2021 USL Changemakers Awards, visit https://uslsc.cr/3mpFSIU.