Women (Quite Literally!) Supporting Women

At the heart of their approach is a commitment to supporting female athletes in every aspect, starting with a fundamental piece of kit: the sports bra. You might not think twice about it, but finding the perfect sports bra is no small feat. It’s one of those things that, when it works, you barely notice, but when it doesn’t, it’s impossible to ignore. Ask any woman who’s been left wincing after a run or training session.

Enter MAAREE. MAAREE isn’t just any sportswear brand; it was born from frustration—founder Mari Thomas-Welland’s frustration, to be exact. She spent years testing sports bras for major brands in lab conditions, but like many other women, she still couldn’t find a bra that struck the right balance of support, comfort, and performance. Most sports bras, regardless of brand, focused only on reducing downward motion, ignoring that breasts move in all directions during exercise.

This ethos aligns seamlessly with what MAAREE stands for—empowering women through thoughtful design and relentless innovation. Whether you’re a weekend warrior hitting the gym or a professional footballer representing your club, there’s a universal truth: feeling physically supported allows you to mentally excel. F.C. Como Women know that their players can’t perform at their peak unless they feel their best. And now, with MAAREE in their corner, they’re able to tackle training sessions and matches with the utmost confidence, knowing that their gear is designed specifically for them.

But the transformation at F.C. Como Women extends beyond just a great kit. On the pitch, they’re proving to be a team to watch. Since their promotion to Serie A Femminile in 2022, the club has set its sights on disrupting the Italian women’s football scene. New signings like Spanish forward Elisa Del Estal and Danish defender Agnete Marcussen have added international flair to the squad, while recent victories, show they’re serious contenders. As Director of Football Miro Keci put it, “Our goal is to do better than last season. We want to challenge the top teams, and I believe that with our new players and coach, we will!”

While MAAREE focuses on performance, the club’s partnership with Nike adds a global dimension to F.C. Como Women’s growing presence. Together, these brands are not just improving gear—they represent a collective effort to bring more visibility, investment, and recognition to women’s football.

The players feel the difference. After a fitting with MAAREE, one player shared, “Few brands focus on helping female athletes with issues that aren’t present in male sports… but breast support is in good hands.” It’s this kind of feedback that exemplifies the shift happening at F.C. Como Women. The club isn’t just preparing women to compete; it’s helping them thrive with the support, resources, and recognition they deserve.

Mari, who visited the training centre in Como, saw firsthand the impact of this transformation. “We loved our visit to the training centre. It’s located in a beautiful part of the country, and to have somewhere dedicated to women only is going to be spectacular,” she said. “I’m excited to see how Mercury/13’s planned changes come to life over the coming years. It’s going to elevate the women’s game quickly.”

In a world where women’s football has often been an afterthought, F.C. Como Women is carving out its own space, creating a future where women’s football is at the forefront. The club’s partnerships with brands like MAAREE are part of a larger revolution in women’s sport, one that’s about empowerment, supporting one another, and breaking down barriers. So, next time someone asks you what comes to mind when you think of Lake Como, don’t forget to add this trailblazing football club that’s pushing boundaries and driving real change in women’s sport to the list—definitely worth raising an Aperol Spritz to!