Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Rawlins.
Hi Kay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
In 2008, my ex-husband and I decided to start a minor league soccer team in Austin. We played for 3 years in 3 different high school stadiums with very little support and decided to move the team and aim higher. We held a press conference in October 2010 and announced that we were bringing a new team called Orlando City and would start play in USL (United Soccer Leagues) but that we aimed to be a Major League team within 5 years. We began play in March 2011 at the Citrus Bowl and won the league title three times and playoffs twice over the next four years. We made our ambitions known to MLS, and with much support from Mayor Dyer, the business community, media, and our vociferous supporters, we played our first game as an MLS team in front of 62,500 purple-clad supporters in 2015.
We added a women’s team, Orlando Pride in 2016 and moved into our new, purpose-built stadium in 2017. We have two training facilities; Orlando Pride is at Lake Sylvan in Seminole County, and Orlando City is at Osceola Heritage Park, plus a thriving academy and affiliate soccer schools.
I oversee all of our community outreach and social impact and head the Orlando City Foundation.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been an exciting and interesting journey so far, but there were also bumps along the way. As an MLS team, Orlando City struggled in the first few years, and it has only been since the addition of the current coach that our fortunes have changed. On a personal note, I went through a somewhat public divorce which was challenging, but the love and support of family and community helped me through. We also had a change of ownership last year, so it has been a period of transition for all of us, one that I feel we have successfully mastered.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
This is actually my third career – I started working in a bank in the UK at the age of 17, left when I had children 10 years later, then finally went to college age 31, gained degrees in early childhood education and business management, and then owned and operated private pre-schools for 10 years. The next project was then moving to the US and starting the team. Community and philanthropy are two of my favorite things, so I basically wrote my own job description when we sat down to discuss how the team would operate.
I oversee charitable player appearances, requests for auction items, civic/community sponsorships, club representation in the community, speaking engagements, and volunteer opportunities for the whole club. I’m also President of the Orlando City Foundation – we use the power of sport to bring health and wellness to underserved communities – we build mini-pitches in urban areas, install community gardens and provide free soccer programs.
I’m also known as a mentor, a connector, and a public speaker.
I’m obviously very proud of starting a Major League Soccer team and turning the city purple, but I’m also proud of the family I built; my two kids and my bonus kids regard each other as siblings and love each other dearly.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Winning games is an obvious one! We recently won the US Open Cup, a competition that has been around since 1914, and it brought so much joy to so many people – the players, coaches, staff, and supporters but also brought pride to our city. There is still such a buzz around the city; it makes me so happy! I also love it when I see the connection our players make with children; they can pass on messages that us ordinary mortals cannot! When a professional athlete says you should drink more water, less soda, or eat vegetables, kids tend to listen.
I love introducing new people to the sport of soccer – I am more than happy to sit by them and answer all their questions – I love it when they become hooked!
Contact Info:
- Website: orlandocitysc.com
- Instagram: orlandocitysc orlpride
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoCitySC https://www.facebook.com/ORLPride
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrlandoCitySC https://twitter.com/ORLPride
