Fans can vote once daily for Bay FC nominee midfielder Hannah Bebar through August 29 to support her work with Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative
SAN FRANCISCO (August 14, 2026) – Beginning today, the National Women’s Soccer League has opened fan voting for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Fan Impact Challenge. Bay FC fans can vote for midfielder Hannah Bebar, the club’s nominee for the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, once daily at the link below through Saturday, August 29. The Fan Impact Challenge ballot includes each NWSL club’s nominee for the prestigious honor.
As part of her nomination announced in April, Bebar has chosen to collaborate with Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI), which mobilizes the Bay Area women’s sports community to engage, inspire, and empower girls from under-resourced neighborhoods and children with disabilities by providing free, inclusive sports programs that level the playing field and expand access to play. Nationwide has donated $5,000 towards BAWSI as part of Bebar’s nomination. The nominee with the most votes will be announced as the winner of the Fan Impact Challenge and receive an additional $10,000 donation for their selected charitable organization from Nationwide. Only one vote per day per device will be counted.
“I am so honored and inspired each day being a part of this amazing organization,” said Bebar. “BAWSI is an ecosystem of empowerment, and I am so lucky to find a sense of home and community in the Bay Area working with the girls, coaches, and their amazing staff. Each week, I look forward to being on the playground and seeing the love the girls have for sports and their community. I’m looking forward to increasing BAWSI’s visibility and helping more young girls be involved in sports.”
“Hannah has become an extraordinary partner to BAWSI,” said Dana Weintraub, MD, CEO of BAWSI. “She builds meaningful relationships with BAWSI participants, inspires her teammates to join her on our playgrounds, and exemplifies what leadership looks like both on and off the field. From coaching on our playgrounds to serving on BAWSI’s Advisory Council, Hannah invests her time, her voice, and her leadership to help create more opportunities for girls. We are grateful to Bay FC, Nationwide, and every fan whose support helps more children and youth play, lead, and succeed.”
Bay FC will celebrate Bebar’s nomination and the incredible community work of BAWSI at the club’s next home match Sunday, August 23 vs. the Houston Dash. Tickets remain available at BayFC.com/tickets, and kickoff is set for 3 p.m. PT. Fans who show proof of voting on matchday will be able to take advantage of a 10% discount at all in-stadium merchandise locations from the time gates open to the final whistle.
Founded in 2005 following the folding of the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), BAWSI was established by Marlene Bjornsrud, former general manager of the San Jose Cyber Rays, alongside USWNT legend and Bay FC co-founder Brandi Chastain and USWNT legend Julie Foudy. The organization was created to preserve the deep community connections that defined the WUSA and to ensure girls across the Bay Area had greater access to sport. Twenty years later, BAWSI remains a critical organization, providing resources and access to thousands of young girls across the region.
Throughout this season, Bebar and her Bay FC teammates have collaborated with BAWSI to continue its ongoing programming and provide a positive example and source of inspiration to young girls in sports. Since joining Bay FC in 2025, Bebar has helped coach on BAWSI playgrounds, building relationships through play, encouragement, and leadership. Her efforts alongside BAWSI will be expanded upon with a special full-team event later this month.
Lauren Holiday Impact Award
The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, shines light on players who are making a difference in their communities and honors the ongoing example of excellence and commitment set by the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award. Bay FC defender Jen Beattie took home the inaugural honor following the 2024 season, recognizing her work with Bay Area-based Pink Ribbon Good, while midfielder Claire Hutton won the Fan Impact Challenge Vote in 2025.
Following the 2026 season, one nominee will be chosen by a panel consisting of Lauren Holiday and representatives from Nationwide, the NWSL, NWSL Players Association and NWSL Media Association as the winner of the 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, and announced the week of the 2026 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel. Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charity of the winner’s choice.
Please note: Message and data rates may apply if fans choose to vote using their mobile device. Votes generated by script, macro, or other automated means, or with the intent to affect the integrity of the voting process will be void.
