Photo Credit: KC Blue Crew
We are back with our second installment of the Supporters Spotlight Series. This week, we have Danielle Russell, a member of the Leadership Board and Media Director for KC Blue Crew, supporters group of team from Kansas City, who recently made their return to the NWSL.
How did the group get started and how did you become involved?
The group was founded in 2012 on the day FC Kansas City was announced. Kat McIntyre hurried up, created a Twitter account and all that and boom, Blue Crew was born. I joined the first game of the 2014 season. I had just moved back to the Midwest after living out east for a few years. I decided to go to the first tailgate so I could hopefully meet some people who loved WoSo as much as I did. And I did meet some new people! I bought a membership pack that day and never looked back.
Could you tell us a little more about the group?
Blue Crew is a group that cares deeply about their team and players all while having fun. We love chanting and singing and all that, but we don’t ever want to take ourselves too seriously. Because its soccer-soccer is fun! We’re always looking for new people to join us. It’ll be a blast, that’s for sure
It has been a couple years since Kansas City has been in the NWSL, how does it feel to have a team to support again? Has anything changed since the last time the Blue Crew has been active?
It feels amazing. When FCKC folded, it was absolutely devastating. Not only did our team leave, but that opportunity to see so many people left as well. So to have a team to support again really makes all of us feel complete, as cheesy as that might sound. I know that when I got to that first tailgate and saw people that I hadn’t seen since the last FCKC game….I cried a bit.
The only real changes we’ve made is a change in the leadership structure. We really don’t have roles anymore (unless they are needed, like our Founder and having a Media Director so people know how to reach out). We’ve also been working hard on creating initiatives to get as many people involved as possible. We want to bring in as many new people as possible and hopefully we get more and more people who want to help out and be active.
What do you and the other folks in the Blue Crew love most about the team?
Because there are a number of both former FCKC players and local players, we love that this team feels familiar. We know these players, we’ve watched these players for years, and we love it. I think a lot of us also really love how the ownership has put together a strong group behind the scenes. The way the front office operates is so much better than we’ve seen in the past and you can tell they will do all they can do to succeed.
What do you love the most about being in a Supporters Group?
The community. It really is hard to put into words the connection you feel in a SG. You’re connected via something you are intensely passionate about and its so much fun. Some of my best friends are people I met in Blue Crew.
Along with this, I love the connections I’ve made throughout the leagues. There’s a connection between SGs and its really cool.
Where can people find you before games and how do they join you during?
We tailgate before the games outside of Gate A. The tailgates are free and open to EVERYONE. So come join us! During the games we are in sections 116/118. To become a paying member, visit www.kcbluecrew.com. Membership gets you a shirt and a mask and allows us to buy supplies for tailgates, tifos, and drums.
Where can people find Blue Crew on the internet?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcbluecrew, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcbluecrew/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCBLUECREW2012 and at http://www.kcbluecrew.com
Kansas City’s next game is away at OL Reign 7pm Eastern TONIGHT but you can catch KC Blue Crew at the next home game July 23rd 8pm ET at Legends Field Kansas City, KS against NC Courage!
Responses edited for content and clarity
