The second class of winners of the Women’s International Champions Cup Best XI Presented by Ally was announced in December by WICC organizer Relevent Sports Group, and the event will be given additional coverage beginning Monday January 10 on DAZN.
Comprised of the athletes, executives, journalists, coaches, and other individuals who are doing the most to advance women’s soccer, this initiative further expands RSG’s footprint in the women’s game globally and reinforces the organization’s committment to the growth and development of women’s soccer with a focus on striving for a level playing field.
Showing this content further signals DAZN's efforts to help grow the women's football game by giving coverage to it's most influential people of the year. This follows from DAZN airing the 2021 Women's International Champions Cup back in August in over 120 markets on the DAZN platform, as well as their unprecedented decision to air the first two seasons of their four-year deal to show the UEFA Women's Champions League for free on their official YouTube channel.
For the second edition in 2021, the advisory board featured three returning board members – Heather O’Reilly, Grant Wahl, and Vero Boquete; three inaugural winners – Moya Dodd, Bibi Steinhaus-Webb, and Meg Linehan; and one broadcast analyst - Lori Lindsey. The board advocated and debated during several sessions and selected the following individuals as the 2021 WICC Best XI honorees: four players - Christine Sinclair, Alexia Putellas, Formiga, and Quinn; two coaches – Emma Hayes and Monika Staab; one journalist – Suzy Wrack; three executives - Nadine Kessler, Tom Corbett, and Meskerem Goshime; one activist group – Mana Shim, Sinead Farrelly, and Kaiya McCullough.
“We are excited to return for a second edition of the WICC Best XI. This platform gives us the unique opportunity to celebrate eleven individuals who are championing women’s soccer in their respective fields each year. Without the achievements of the 2021 honorees, the women’s game would not be in its current place, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to share their stories with our fans,” said Susie Fiore, head of the WICC.
Once again, Ally, a long-term partner of the men’s and women’s ICC tournaments, signed on to be the presenting partner of the WICC Best XI. “By coming onboard as presenting partner for a second straight year, as well as being a partner of the WICC tournament and the NWSL, Ally continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to women’s soccer,” said Fiore. “Ally is a tremendous partner for us on our ICC platforms and we are aligned with the brand in that we share the mission of elevate women’s soccer to level the playing field.”
“These honorees demonstrate passion, commitment and struggle and it’s critically important to be a part of storytelling that shines a light on these world-class athletes,” said Andrea Brimmer, chief marketing and public relations officer for Ally.
Brimmer continued on to state, “These honorees have been key to the explosive growth of women’s soccer in this country and around the world. Brands have the responsibility to step up and be a part of telling that story. That’s why we are here and that’s why we’re leaning in to our commitment to women’s soccer to help the game continue to grow and flourish."