Beatrice’s Commitment to Women’s Soccer

On Sunday 8 December, the women’s soccer Milan derby was played at San Siro for the first time. The score is not important; rather, it is the symbolic value of the event that counts. Not only is finally being able to play in major stadiums – even Italian ones – testimony to the growth of women’s soccer, but it is also the condition for it to further evolve. This achievement was made possible by the accomplishments of those playing on the field, as well as the commitment of those who have been working behind a desk with passion and competence. That same passion and competence are shared by those who have also practiced this sport while undertaking a robust study path. This is the case, for example, of Beatrice Riva – a graduate in Law from Bocconi University and now Head of Women's Football Operations of Como Calcio. "I came across Bocconi during an open day event, and the environment immediately fascinated me. Law had been a dream of mine for a long time, and pursuing it at Bocconi meant opting for an unconventional path and attending an incredibly international environment at the same time. We thought about it a bit as a family, then I enrolled." Beatrice Riva started to like soccer at Bocconi, especially the University team, in addition to taking on a study path that saw her graduate in 2013 and subsequently begin her career as a lawyer specializing in investments and private equity. "We were the only university team of a certain level," she recalls, "we clinched the promotion from Serie C to B, a championship therefore on a national basis, and it was a huge milestone." In 2021 Beatrice left the law firm where she worked and enrolled in a Master Degree program in sports business management at the University of Parma. This is the beginning of her second career: "Yes, I combine my passion with my job – the ultimate aspiration for anyone. I first worked for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Foundation for just over a year, collaborating at the same time with the FIGC in the Women's Football Division. Then I moved to Nyon, Switzerland to work at the European Club Association (ECA), always overseeing women's soccer and supporting the teams in the various projects relating to the UEFA and FIFA federations. I also followed some men's soccer projects during my second year." 

Beatrice Riva arrived recently at Como 1907, in November 2024, during a period that is particularly exciting for the entire industry. "The Como project was initially supposed to be non-professional, and is currently developing into something more major league," she continues, "aiming to replicate what is happening in men's soccer in terms of facilities and management in general. Then of course there is the part that is more strictly sports-oriented and competitive, with the goal of progressively doing better." Women's soccer in Italy is a fairly recent movement, which began to get serious and professionally organized no more than six or seven years ago. However, there is time, and – above all – will, to make up for it, as evidenced by the most recent outcomes. "Women's soccer is still in a start-up phase," continues Beatrice Riva, "but the results are already being seen, both in international and Italian soccer. We must continue to invest and believe in it, and the whole movement will grow even further. Obviously, going back to Italian soccer, the leap in quality took place with the obligation for professional teams to also open a women's division." This was the make-or-break point because the image improves when there is investment in an immediately victorious team. What matters most, though, is to build a youth division that gives continuity to the project. "Compared to a few years ago, young girls now look at soccer as one of the many sports options," she continues, "and not as a second or third choice. Of course, growing up and having both sports-related and personal commitments multiply, there must be a way for young women to be able to make a living with soccer, as is the case for other disciplines." 

From her privileged position, Beatrice Riva supports this with great conviction. "Women's soccer has also become a media phenomenon. After our national team’s European journey was broadcast on TV in 2019, soccer team memberships for young girls have increased exponentially." The high-level academic-sports relationship is a topic that has always been very tricky. In men's soccer, there are few examples of players who have continued their university studies even today. How is the situation among young women? "It is slightly different. Although now considered a professional sport, women's soccer does not consider salaries that can allow one to live on income once their competitive career is over, with the exception of a few rare situations. It is therefore natural that young women often continue their studies to ensure a future, providing a positive example to the youngest generation of girls, and – who knows – even to some of their male peers."