Welcome to the Playbook

Women's sports aren't a side story—they're a movement, a culture, and a legacy. In the very first episode of Val's Playbook, a women's sports podcast, host Val Sardelli, a collegiate soccer player at Purdue University Northwest, dives into why women's soccer, women's basketball, and women's sports as a whole deserve more respect, coverage, and recognition. From her first memory watching the 2015 Women's World Cup Final to witnessing the U.S. Women's National Team's fight for equal pay, Val shares her personal journey as one of many female athletes inspired by the growth of the game. She also breaks down why this podcast exists: to bring more visibility, strategy, and real conversation to the world of women's sports. In Episode 1, Val explores what Val's Playbook truly represents and why it's more than just a name. She highlights the importance of preparation, perspective, and storytelling in shaping how women's sports are understood today. The episode also dives into the need to shift narratives around female athletes, while building a space that celebrates growth, representation, and community across women's soccer and women's basketball. Whether you're a fan of women's basketball, passionate about women's soccer, or simply looking for a women's sports podcast that brings authentic insight into the lives of female athletes, this episode sets the foundation for what's ahead. Follow, subscribe, and join Val as she breaks down the playbook for women's sports—on and off the field.