Behind the scenes of last weekend’s virtual NFL Draft, two women quietly and courageously paved the way for the next generation. Hannah Burnett, a scouting coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, and Ameena Soliman, a player personnel coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, joined other female coaches, scouts and executives working to further the league’s success and break down barriers for women aspiring to work in football. Accompanying their hectic work schedules during the Draft, Burnett and Soliman have one other thing in common: each has recently been named a Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches and Scouts recipient. The Fund, launched by the Women’s Sports Foundation and NFL executive Scott Pioli in 2017, supports the development, education and training of aspiring U.S. female football coaches and scouts who are pursuing careers in collegiate or professional football. The grants are distributed on a rolling basis, and Burnett and Soliman are joining the three inaugural grant recipients announced in 2019. “Being awarded this grant will allow me to focus on getting better at what I do with fewer distractions,” Soliman said. “It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization that does so much to help women advance in football, and I hope to be able to pay it forward.” “I am very thankful to have a job in the sport I love and this grant will allow me to continue to develop and focus on my career in scouting,” Burnett added. | 
