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From left to right, Jodi Ülkekul, Debbie Nelson and Erin Vaughan Last week, Eastside FC formally launched PlayHer Way, a long-term initiative focused on creating more opportunities, stronger experiences and clearer pathways for girls and women in soccer. Now, we are introducing the women who will lead the work. Debbie Nelson has been named Director of PlayHer Way, with Erin Vaughan and Jodi Ülkekul serving as Program Managers. Together, they will help shape the initiative’s p

Eastside FC is excited to introduce PlayHer Way, a new initiative focused on creating more opportunities, stronger experiences and clearer pathways for girls and women in soccer. PlayHer Way brings together work that has often happened separately: supporting female coaches and leaders, improving the everyday experience of girls in the game, introducing more girls to soccer, creating opportunities for mentorship and building stronger connections across teams, ages and communit

On a sunny Sunday afternoon at Preston Park, 116 girls came together for something simple: an afternoon of soccer, connection and fun. It was the first-ever PlayHer Way afternoon, and the first step in Eastside FC’s growing effort to create more opportunities for girls to play, connect, grow and see women and older girls leading the way. Our youngest players kicked off the afternoon during the first session, with girls as young as four taking the field. An even larger group f