For professional athletes, the start of the offseason is typically a time to take a brief rest before resuming the rigors of training for the next season. For a few National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) players, this offseason began by trading the soccer field for the professional field of insurance and financial services.

Last month, Celia Jiménez Delgado (Orlando Pride), Imani Dorsey (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Darian Jenkins (Orlando Pride) and Katie Lund (Racing Louisville FC) participated in a two-week professional development program hosted by Nationwide at the Fortune 100 company’s headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. 

“When Nationwide entered into our partnership with the NWSL, it was important to us to help grow the women’s game and support the athletes on and off the pitch,” said Ramon Jones, Nationwide’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “To that end, we created this pilot program to introduce players to our businesses, our culture, and our community. Our hope is that they came away with skills and lessons that they can apply when they return to their teams and beyond their playing days.”

The two-week experience included opportunities to meet with leaders and associates across a range of business units. The players also participated in specialized training sessions and spent time with some of Nationwide’s sports marketing and community partners.

Nationwide became the exclusive insurance partner of the NWSL in spring of 2021. The partnership is highlighted by presenting sponsorship of the Nationwide Community Impact Award, a season-long initiative that promotes community partners and advances local service projects led by each NWSL team and its designated Nationwide Community Ambassador.