Play On: From Adversity to Advantage Through 140 Years of Women's Soccer

by Heidi Smith

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Pub Date Sep 04 2025 | Archive Date May 15 2026

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Description

For 140 years, women’s soccer has been a powerful global force and a vehicle for sparking change. That power has shone through 140 years of obstacles and setbacks, bans and ridicule, dismissal and devaluation. Today, investors and audiences recognize the value of women’s soccer not because it can raise money for charity or inspire young girls (although it can) but simply because it is good business. This sport and the women who play it have captured the world’s attention and will continue to advance the game—and the culture around it.

Still, while the sport has advanced in meaningful ways, the challenges facing today’s players are not new. Violence, ridicule and obstruction have been obstacles since the game began in the 1880s. Play On explores that history through the lens of soccer’s advantage, or “play on” rule: if a player has been fouled but is still in an advantageous position, play can continue. There is no better analogy for the women’s game. Despite chronic and outrageous fouls—low to no pay, poor playing conditions, media mockery—women have persevered. In doing so, they have changed the game and the world. This is their story.

Advance Praise

'Play On' is an inspiring and essential read that brilliantly chronicles the indomitable spirit of women’s soccer, revealing how the sport has not only overcome historical and modern obstacles but has also become a powerful catalyst for societal change. This compelling work transcends sports, offering a profound sociological examination that will resonate with anyone interested in empowering women, women’s history, and the enduring power of perseverance. - Dr. Colleen Hacker, 6 Time Olympic Games Coaching Staff, 12 World Championships, Former USWNT Mental Skills Coach

'Play On' is a deeply human, well-researched chronicle that brings to light 140 years of women’s football history—capturing the passion, resilience, and relentless fight for recognition and equality, often in the face of indifference, discrimination, and outright exclusion. Through compelling storytelling, the book highlights the systemic challenges women have faced in the game and honors the incredible women, including those like myself, who refused to be sidelined. It’s a powerful tribute to the courage of those who kept playing on. - Andrea Rodebaugh-Huitron, Women's National Team Sports Director, Mexican Football Federation

‘Play On’ is a powerful tribute to the resilience, passion, and progress of women’s soccer. This book doesn’t just chronicle a sport—it celebrates a movement, a legacy, and the trailblazers who turned adversity into triumph. - Dr. Marilyn Giroux, Assistant Professor, University Laval

Women’s football, which faced adversity for years, is now on the brink of being the most played sport in the world for girls! That’s the advantage of belief. ‘Play On’ shines a light on those challenges while celebrating how far the sport has come. - Fran Hilton-Smith, Technical Director, South African Football Association

Heidi weaves together so many threads that come together to create – and break – barriers from the past to the present, from youth players to professionals, from local communities to global icons. It’s a gift to have such a holistic look at where we’ve been and how to go forward. - Mary Connor, Executive Director, Football Beyond Borders

Telling stories like this is important to shape our understanding of women’s experience in sport. - Dr. Jessica Vredenburg, Senior Lecturer, Auckland University of Technology

Marketing Plan

We've worked with Smith Publicity to book podcasts, radio interviews and television appearances. We will publish weekly posts including snippets from those interviews plus related content from the book and post those to social media. We will also continue to contact relevant media about the book now that the contract with Smith has ended.

We've worked with Smith Publicity to book podcasts, radio interviews and television appearances. We will publish weekly posts including snippets from those interviews plus related content from the...

Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9798218740856
PRICE	$18.00 (USD)
PAGES	216

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