NWSL Players Association co-executive director Yael Averbuch West joins the Kickin’ Back podcast to discuss racial inequality in the world, and how NWSL players are using their platforms to speak out against racism.
Yael also speaks about the players’ ability to secure guaranteed pay for the NWSL Challenge Cup during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the health challenges which made her step away from the pro game (but why she’ll never use the word “retired”).
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Editing and production: Claire Watkins.
Here are rough timestamps of the topics Yael and I spoke about in this episode:
5:45 — Inside the U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council’s effort toward diversity, and demanding change from U.S. Soccer. Read the Council’s statement about Policy 604-1 here.
12:00 — The need to listen to Black players’ experiences and better educate ourselves
15:15 — Personal conversations and becoming self-aware of white privilege
20:40 — How the PA is supporting players’ efforts to leverage the Challenge Cup platform
27:00 — NWSLPA’s collaborative approach to getting guaranteed pay during a pandemic
36:00 — How the lost season can actually help NWSL better plan for the future
41:30 — Stepping away from soccer due to health, but never “retiring”
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