
Hannah Betfort Announced as Courage's Nominee for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide
May 14, 2025 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
North Carolina Courage News Release
NEW YORK - The National Women's Soccer League today announced the 14 players nominated for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, recognizing an NWSL player for outstanding service and character off the pitch.
North Carolina Courage forward Hannah Betfort is partnering with WakeEd, a local nonprofit focused exclusively on transforming teaching and leadership modeling in Wake County Public Schools to provide graduating students with the content knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a complex and changing workplace.
The complete list of nominees and their chosen community partners can be found below:
ACFC - Katie Zelem (City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks; GPLA Leadership Academy Program)
BAY FC - Racheal Kundananji (Soccer Without Borders)
CHI - Bea Franklin (Digs With Dignity)
GCFC - Ryan Campbell (Katie's Save)
HOU - Abby Smith (Kids' Meals Houston)
KCC - Claire Hutton (MINDDRIVE)
LOU - Lauren Milliet (Trees Louisville)
NCC - Hannah Betfort (WakeEd)
ORL - Haley McCutcheon (Foundation for Foster Children)
POR - Sam Hiatt (Candlelighters Oregon)
SEA - Cassie Miller (The Nick of Timing Foundation)
SDW - Kyra Carusa (The Athlete Academy Foundation)
UTA - Kate Del Fava (Primary Children's hospital)
WAS - Ashley Hatch (DC Scores)
Of the 14 Club nominees, one will be announced as the winner during Championship weekend. At that time, Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charitable organization of the winner's choice.
The Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, was introduced in 2024 to honor the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women's World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award Lauren Holiday. It spotlights players who exemplify dedication and commitment to giving back in service of their local communities.
"This year's award nominees continue to set new standards for what it means to use their platform as athletes to give back," said Lauren Holiday. "It is a privilege to highlight this incredible group of women who are committed to both their NWSL clubs, and working to improve the communities that these clubs call home."
"Since partnering with the National Women's Soccer League to co-create this award, Nationwide has been honored to champion and drive this purposeful philanthropic platform forward," said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. "We are proud to support and spotlight the meaningful work all of the nominees are doing, and we look forward to celebrating our 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award winner later this year."
The winner will be determined by a panel of judges that will include Lauren Holiday, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, and representatives from Nationwide, NWSLPA, and Media Association.
"Sports has the power to unite communities, and the NWSL is proud to be the home of athletes whose dedication to giving back exemplifies how professional sports can bring people together around shared causes," said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. "This year's Lauren Holiday Impact Award Nominees represent the best that our league has to offer when it comes to on-field talent and off-field activism."
National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 14, 2025
- Hensley Hancuff Announces Retirement from Professional Soccer - North Carolina Courage
- Katie Zelem Named Angel City FC Nominee for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Angel City FC
- Racing Names Caitlyn Flores Milby as New General Manager - Racing Louisville FC
- San Diego Wave FC Forward Kyra Carusa Nominated for NWSL's Lauren Holiday Impact Award - San Diego Wave FC
- Claire Hutton Earns Kansas City Current's Nomination for NWSL Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Kansas City Current
- Bay FC's Racheal Kundananji Honored as Nominee for League-Wide Community Impact Award Recognizing Her Work and Impact in the Bay Area Community and Zambia - Bay FC
- Bea Franklin Named Chicago Stars FC Nominee for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Chicago Stars FC
- Houston Dash Goalkeeper Abby Smith Nominated for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Houston Dash
- Hannah Betfort Announced as Courage's Nominee for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - North Carolina Courage
- Haley McCutcheon Named Nominee for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Orlando Pride
- Goalkeeper Ryan Campbell Nominated by Gotham FC for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Kate Del Fava Named Utah Royals FC Nominee for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Utah Royals FC
- Statements from Angel City FC and the Family of Savy King - Angel City FC
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Other Recent North Carolina Courage Stories
- Hensley Hancuff Announces Retirement from Professional Soccer
- Hannah Betfort Announced as Courage's Nominee for 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide
- Courage Play Defending Champs to a Draw, Left Wanting More
- Courage draw Orlando in front of sellout crowd
- Notes & Quotes: NC Courage vs. Orlando Pride

