Photo Credit: EM Dash Photography
The NWSL Supporters Spotlight is back! Several years ago, I reached out and featured at least one Supporters Group from each of the NWSL teams at the time. It was great to hear how these groups were started and how passionate the members were about their team and players. A lot has changed since the last time we did this series including new expansion teams and SGs to go with it. We are kicking off this edition of Supporters Spotlight with one of those groups. I recently touched base with Leigh Nieves who answered some questions about The Lavender Legion, an official supporters group of new expansion team Racing Louisville FC.
What is your role in The Lavender Legion, and how did the group come to be?
Currently I’m the President of the Lavender Legion. We are lucky enough that in our first year, we have 12 members on our board that are dedicated to helping us grow and learn through experiences. We began as a collaborative effort last summer. There’s a leader of one of the men’s supporters groups named Scouse who really encouraged us to kick things off, then a group of us just stayed together, the public voted on a board, and now here we are!
Can you provide a little general information about the group?
We’ve really dedicated ourselves to not only be super supportive to this team, but to be supportive of the fanbase and Louisville community. That aspect has always been a goal of our entire board and the Lou soccer fanbase in general.. We want people to feel welcome and excited to be here.
What is is like being a new Supporters Group for a new team in the league? Did you look to any other groups for advice?
Being a new supporters group is scary and exciting at the same time. You know that you get to be a part of building something great from the ground up, but you also feel a certain level of pressure to be perfect and come out of the gates (racing pun intended) at full speed. We were able to connect with Cloud 9 of Sky Blue (now NJ/NY Gotham FC), Chicago Local 134, and The Curse from New Mexico (USL). They were insanely helpful at steering us in the right directions.
What do the people in this group love the most about the team?
It’s a very cliché answer, but we love our players so much. Their attitudes on and off the field are incredible. We never ask for or expect credit, but they never fail to give us a shout out and that really means a lot to us who have put in such hard work to make a fun game day experience. I think the culture that this team has cultivated has made them easily likeable.
What do you love the most about being in a Supporters Group?
Getting to make new friends and meet other people daily who love the same thing you do is amazing. I’ve always been an introverted extrovert so being around people from time to time can really energize me. It also makes us feel great when people say that they feel welcome in our group and never feel like they can’t be included. Those are the best kind of compliments.
Where can people find you before games and how do they join you during?
Before games we give people the choice to either join us at Ten20 Brewing (right by the stadium) or in the Gold Lot tailgating! During the games we are always at the Estopinal End. You can’t miss us, we have drums and flags and smoke bombs. Truly anyone can join in!
Is the group currently involved with any fundraisers or initiatives?
Currently we are a part of the LouCity/Racing supporters group Prideraiser all of Pride Month benefitting Louisville Youth Group. It’s a great cause and we are stoked to be a part of it! You can check that out here: Los Morados Prideraiser Benefitting Louisville YouthGroup
Where can people find you on social media?
You can find us on Twitter https://twitter.com/lavenderlegion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavenderlegionsg/ and Facebook: Lavender Legion Supporters Group!
Racing Lousville FC is away this week, taking on the Portland Thorns at 10:30pm ET, but you can check out the Lavender Legion at their next home game, June 20th at 3:30pm ET at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, KY.
Responses edited lightly for context and clarity
