Women's football is experiencing a significant surge in recognition as demonstrated by recent awards and sponsorship initiatives. The latest honors showcase the the successes of accomplished athletes like Kate Faasse and Roisín Wynne, alongside impactful sponsorship efforts from brands such as Guaraná Antarctica.
On January 30, 2025, Kate Faasse, the Phoenix, Arizona native and North Carolina standout, was honored with the Class of 2025 Honda Sport Award for Soccer. This annual award, presented by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA), recognizes the finest female athletes across NCAA-sanctioned sports, illustrating the peak of excellence within collegiate athletics. The honor marks Faasse as the first Tar Heel since Crystal Dunn won the award back in 2013, emphasizing her noteworthy achievements this season.
Faasse was not just recognized for her talent but also for her extraordinary contributions on the field this past season. She played a pivotal role during the NCAA Tournament, netting four goals and providing three assists, helping North Carolina secure its 23rd championship and first since 2012. Notably, she scored the winning goals during key games, becoming the nation’s leading scorer with 20 goals by season’s end. Of her performance, the CWSA noted, "The award signifies 'the best of the best' and reflects the remarkable potential of our future stars."
Simultaneously, Roisín Wynne, hailing from County Roscommon, has taken the U.S. scene by storm. Wynne has recently made headlines by winning the prestigious New York Ladies' Gaelic Football Player of the Year award for 2024, as well as the Na Fianna Championship Player of the Year. Known for her commitment and leadership, she played a significant role in her team’s successful campaigns, including Boyle's first county senior title victory last year.
“This award is not surprising, considering Roisín’s commitment, dedication, application, and leadership both on and off the field,” stated Roscommon Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association. Wynne's performance signifies the growing recognition of women athletes across diverse platforms, reflecting the overall spirit of the current women's sports movement.
Alongside these achievements, Guaraná Antarctica has been blazing trails through its long-term sponsorship initiatives, significantly impacting women's football within Brazil. The iconic soft drink brand has sponsored the Brazilian National Team since 2001, but it’s their innovative campaigns over recent years that's captured attention.
Brazilian football culture is deeply embedded with the brand, and their efforts to uplift women's visibility through sports have been remarkable. A highlight of their approach was during the 2019 shift when marketing director Pedro Thompson realized the financial benefits and societal importance of investing more vigorously within women's football. “Our goal wasn’t just to sponsor the sport but to use our platform to attract more brands to do the same,” Thompson articulated.
The brand has consistently rolled out creative campaigns, such as the #PresaNos80 initiative, spotlighting the glaring disparities between men's and women's football funding, likening contemporary conditions to those from the 1980s. Their efforts have included featuring logos of supportive brands on 30 million soda cans, effectively turning their packaging itself, with the collaboration of brands like Puma and ESPN, to amplify the message of support for women athletes.
Overall, the convergence of individual accolades and brand initiatives reflects the broader cultural shift happening within women's sports. Recognition of players like Faasse and Wynne, along with the support of innovative sponsors like Guaraná Antarctica, signifies not just progress, but also the undeniable fact: women's football is on a thrilling upward path.
The spotlight is brighter than ever on women's soccer, and the momentum continues to build. With inspiring players leading the charge, alongside corporations stepping up to champion the cause, the future looks promising.