Soccer Holdings on Friday sent the following to season ticket members accompanying news that the club has opened the search for a general manager.
Dear Racing Louisville FC season ticket members,
We wanted to share an update with all of you who have supported our players and club following the release of U.S. Soccer’s Sally Yates report. We understand the intense community conversation and range of emotions the report sparked in our fan base and support system, and we hear your concerns. Our focus remains on our players — listening to them and fulfilling our pledge of cooperation with the ongoing NWSL/NWSL Players Association joint investigation.
Racing Louisville and Soccer Holdings are committed to positive change that addresses workplace issues, improves our culture and allows athletes to achieve their full potential. The club is striving to build an inclusive, safe environment of which players and fans can be proud.
Since terminating our former head coach in August 2021, we have taken the following steps to help foster an improved environment:
• Provided company-wide access to RealResponse, the leading safe and secure feedback, monitoring and anonymous reporting platform for athletic teams and organizations.
• Required all employees to participate in SafeSport training, which includes abuse awareness and prevention guidance.
• In conjunction with the NWSL, created a more thorough, exhaustive vetting process for coaching hires responsible for assembling Racing Louisville’s current staff. Moving forward, players will also have the opportunity to speak to potential new coaching hires.
In addition to recommendations of the ongoing NWSL/NWSLPA joint investigation, we commit to these changes to further build our culture and ensure the well-being of our players and staff:
• Opening the search for a Racing Louisville general manager position to oversee day-to-day team operations with a goal toward improving on and off the field. Duties include oversight of performance, player recruitment and compliance while providing support and insight for players and staff.
• Adding a new assistant coach to the Racing technical staff. This coach will liaise directly with players on their individual development plans while also working with staff on coaching objectives.
• Updated company-wide anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies and practices to address specific issues facing our industry, including training programs to be run by an accredited third-party resource.
• Forming an internal committee of Soccer Holdings employees to regularly meet with our players to garner feedback.
• Scheduling town hall events for season ticket members to share their input.
It is our hope that these efforts lead to the positive change we all want to see. We will listen, learn and act to ensure we maintain the best possible environment for players.
Without our fans, there is no Racing Louisville. We know this has been an upsetting time, and we sincerely appreciate and value your feedback. We look forward to providing updates to the community as the situation warrants and allows.
Thank you for your support and your patience as we work through this process with the NWSL and the NWSLPA.
