Women’s Soccer Combine Launches to Empower Aspiring Players
In a move aimed at revolutionizing opportunities for women in soccer, The Players Network (TPN) hosted its inaugural combine on June 21-22, 2023, at the UNKNWN Elite Training Facility in Richmond, Virginia. Founded by three professional players—Brianne Reed, Samantha Rosette, and Gabriella Cuevas—the network seeks to bridge gaps in the recruitment process for aspiring athletes who often go unnoticed by major leagues.
The idea for TPN emerged during a lunch in December 2022, when Reed, Rosette, and Cuevas discussed their struggles to secure playing positions at international clubs. Feeling frustrated by the lack of support and resources, they decided to combine their experiences and create a community that would offer guidance and opportunities for women in soccer. “At that moment, we were just kind of looking at each other like, are we about to go into business together?” Rosette recalled.
Since its inception, TPN has attracted over 560 members from 40 countries and more than 150 clubs. The network provides players with crucial resources, including advice on dealing with unprofessionalism from agents and clubs, insights into what playing abroad entails, and a supportive community to navigate their careers. “The more that we built it, the more I realized that there is so much power in numbers,” Cuevas stated.
The combine marked a significant step for TPN, especially since approximately 35% of its players currently lack contracts. The event aimed to showcase a diverse pool of talent, offering players a platform to connect with scouts and agents. Unlike traditional combines that often focus on college drafts, TPN’s format blended educational seminars, position training, and competitive matches, making it a unique opportunity for attendees.
With a registration fee of $150, the event quickly reached its capacity, exceeding the initial 50 spots available. Players submitted their CVs, film, and personal stories, which helped TPN select a wide range of participants, from rookies to veterans. “A lot of the stories of players in our network are those of overcoming adversity,” Rosette shared.
On the days of the combine, players showcased their skills in front of over 40 recruiters, both in-person and virtually. Coaches and former players from institutions such as VCU and Richmond University led training sessions, further enhancing the experience. “I feel like it would have been so beneficial for me,” Cuevas noted. “This would have been a perfect opportunity, a chance to show what you can do.”
The event was met with enthusiasm from coaches and representatives from leagues such as the USL Super League and A-League in Australia, as well as scouts from countries including Iceland, Sweden, and France. Reed emphasized that the combine also provided players with the chance to find representation, saying, “It’s not just teams; many times girls are looking for representation to get to those teams.”
As the combine unfolded, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation. Attendees participated in various training exercises and competitive matches, culminating in a vibrant showcase of talent. The positive feedback from participants was overwhelming, with 100% of survey respondents indicating that the event met or exceeded their expectations.
“I had a great day, the energy was really high, the intensity was great,” said Taylor Jacobson, a recent graduate from UCF. “It was really good to get out there, compete, have fun, and work with each other in an awesome environment.”
Rosette expressed her hope that the combine would not only facilitate recruitment but also foster a sense of community among players. “Hopefully the players were able to connect in a way that in the future, maybe if they end up on the same team or in the same country, they have someone there for support,” she said.
The successful execution of the combine exceeded the founders’ expectations and demonstrated the potential for TPN to create lasting change in women’s soccer. “It was so fulfilling to finally have an in-person experience of this community of what we’ve been building virtually all over the world,” Rosette remarked.
The ethos of TPN revolves around empowering players and improving the professionalism of women’s leagues globally. Rosette added, “We’re trying to reimagine and recreate the process of getting professional opportunities in women’s soccer because we believe the way it’s been working has left a lot of room for exploitation of players.”
As the network continues to grow, its founders remain committed to driving forward the women’s game, ensuring that every player has the chance to thrive in a fair and supportive environment.
