Event highlights partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and Street Soccer USA, and support from Visa to increase access to sports and encourage more young girls to participate in soccer
SAN FRANCISCO (Dec. 13, 2025) – Bay FC today hosted its first end-of-year Players of Tomorrow soccer tournament in San Francisco, celebrating the anticipated launch of the Club’s new all-girls youth soccer league. Developed in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and Street Soccer USA, and supported by Visa, the league is designed to expand access to soccer for elementary and middle-school girls, particularly in neighborhoods historically underrepresented in organized sports.
More than 70 girls from Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco locations across the city competed at Visa Street Soccer Park at the Crossing in downtown San Francisco in a full day of matches, music, and programming with Bay FC Midfielder Joelle Anderson, reflecting growing momentum since Bay FC announced in August that the league will scale citywide in 2026.
Today’s tournament also builds on Bay FC’s Bay It Forward initiative, the club’s community impact program launched earlier this year to expand access to sports and create leaders across all nine Bay Area counties. Through Bay It Forward, Bay FC is delivering memorable matchday experiences for underserved, marginalized, and underrepresented communities, providing access and leadership programming through player appearances and partner activations, building legacy through leaders in the community with player and staff volunteer efforts, and furthering local non-profit work through ticket and experience donations.
“Today isn’t just a soccer tournament, it’s a blueprint for the future of women’s youth sports in San Francisco, where girls drive the game forward,” said Bay FC Executive Vice President of Communications, Community Impact, and Public Affairs Lisa Goodwin Scharff. “When you invest in spaces designed for girls, you don’t just expand access—you unlock confidence, leadership, and a generation that will redefine this sport. The momentum from today is only the beginning, and we look forward to growing this league across San Francisco in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and Visa in 2026, to ensure that all girls have access to sport.”
Before this initiative, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco ran co-ed soccer programs, but girls made up just 30% of participants. The All-Girls League, developed with Bay FC and Street Soccer USA, with support from Visa, directly addresses that gap by offering girls-only teams, mentorship, and additional access to sport in neighborhoods including the Mission, Excelsior, Tenderloin, the Fillmore, and Bayview-Hunters Point.
“We’re thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Bay FC and Visa, especially as girls’ sports gains momentum. This fall showed us how powerful it is when girls have access to high-quality opportunities to compete. Together, we’re building confidence, expanding what’s possible, promoting leadership, and inspiring success on and off the field. We’re excited for what’s ahead,” said Rob Connolly, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.
The new All-Girls league, set for a full launch in 2026, builds on Bay FC and Founding Partner Visa’s effort to create inclusive sports spaces for girls, including weekly clinics that served as part of the pilot league this year at Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s Columbia Park Clubhouse. Street Soccer USA, a national nonprofit that uses soccer as a tool to fight poverty and strengthen communities, played a central role in designing and coaching the pilot clinics. They will remain a key partner as the league expands in 2026.
“For many of our players, the tournament will be one of the first times they play in a space that really celebrates their joy and effort, regardless of experience or skill level” said Keith Chernin, Bay Area Managing Director at Street Soccer USA. “It’s an opportunity to be in community, build confidence, and continue moving toward a more inclusive and accessible soccer culture in the city.”
Bay FC will return to action in 2026 for the start of its third campaign. Fans can gear up for the 2026 season today and secure their spot at every home match with a season ticket membership, available at BayFC.com/tickets. Fans can also follow @wearebayfc on social channels for the latest club news and more exciting announcements to come throughout the offseason.
Bay FC x Visa Partnership
In March 2024, Bay FC and Visa launched a partnership rooted in shared values and responsibilities – to influence change and impact equity and access in the game of soccer. Core to the partnership is direct financial investment in local youth, specifically in communities that have historically faced barriers to accessing sports. Understanding the social, physical, and well-being benefits that sports provide for all youth, regardless of background or ability, Visa and Bay FC are committed to expanding opportunities and growing access across the Bay Area. Additionally, Visa is helping advance equity for women athletes by supporting fair compensation for Bay FC players participating in commercial appearances and driving initiatives such as ticket sales and merchandise, alongside programs that prioritize financial equity, leadership development, education, and uplifting communities. Together, these efforts represent a step toward addressing the systemic challenges faced by female athletes, women in sports, and the next generation of players.
About Bay Football Club
Bay Football Club (Bay FC) is the professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area and the 14th team to join the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Bay FC was established in April 2023 and co-founded by USWNT legends Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street and an investor group of leading tech, business and sports executives. Sixth Street’s investment is the largest institutional investment to date in a women’s professional sports franchise. Bay FC is changing the face of women’s soccer as we know it. The Club began play in the 2024 season. Tickets are now on sale for Bay FC at BayFC.com and fans can follow Bay FC’s social channels (@wearebayfc) for the latest news, merchandise, and events.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco
Since 1891, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF) has provided high-quality, community-based youth development services to youth in San Francisco. The Club’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Clubhouses are located in neighborhoods with the fewest resources for youth, and are open when youth need us the most—after school, on most school holidays, and all day during the summer. In addition to our 14 traditional Clubhouses and School-Based Clubs in San Francisco, we also own and operate Camp Mendocino, a 2,000-acre residential summer camp that provides inspiring outdoor experiences for kids from around the Bay Area.
About Street Soccer USA
Street Soccer USA is a national nonprofit dedicated to building healthier communities through free and accessible soccer programming. In San Francisco, SSUSA partners with schools, community organizations, and families to provide year-round soccer, mentorship, and youth development opportunities for children and teens. Through neighborhood-based programs and innovative community sports spaces, Street Soccer USA works to ensure that all young people, regardless of background or income, have access to safe play, supportive coaching, and pathways to personal growth on and off the field.
