The major event celebrating the achievements of women in football will take place in London on 25 May
BY ADISHRI CHENGAPPA, IMAGE BY GETTY
The Women’s Football Awards will celebrate the outstanding achievements of people, brands and organisations contributing to the phenomenal growth of sport. It is the first time that all levels of women’s football will be recognised at one flagship event. It will pay tribute to grassroots greatness as well as national and international superstars of the women’s game. The glittering ceremony is set to be hosted by former Chelsea and England international Eni Aluko plus Sky Sports presenter Jamie Carragher who will be joined by leading personalities from the women’s game, male football allies and celebrities.
The event comes ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and has been backed by England internationals Beth Mead, Jess Carter, Nikita Parris and Toni Duggan. Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Scotland forward Caroline Weir has given her support to the initiative as has Everton star Conor Coady and Sky Sports News anchors Pete Graves and Hayley McQueen.
Award categories include Player of the Year, International Football Player of the Year, Club of the Year, Grassroots Initiative of the Year, Lifetime Achievement as well as a series of accolades for people and brands working behind the scenes to expand the reach of women’s football.
Eni Aluko, who made 102 appearances for the England national team and is now a leading women’s football broadcaster, said, “The Women’s Football Awards is going to be an event of celebration that will shine a light on players, individuals and organisations doing phenomenal work to grow the women’s game. The awards will be an important platform to recognise the key players and allies both on and off the pitch, who have raised the bar for women’s football. I’m delighted to be hosting with Jamie Carragher, it is going to be a special night.”
Joining Aluko as co-host for the inaugural Women’s Football Awards is former Liverpool and England defender turned Sky Sports presenter Jamie Carragher. The Champions League winning football legend, who is an advocate for the growth of women’s football, said, “In recent years the growth of the women’s game has been phenomenal. The Lionesses’ European Championships triumph saw fans around the world fall in love with women’s football. It is now time the people involved got the recognition they deserve and that is why the Women’s Football Awards are so important. It will celebrate the players, personalities, brands and allies who have been key in lifting the profile of women’s football. It is going to be a brilliant night and I am delighted to be involved.”
Arsenal and England international Beth Mead is backing the Women’s Football Awards. The UEFA Women’s 2022 Golden Boot winner said, “The Women’s Football Awards will celebrate the success of women in football in the UK and all over the world. This is a major event which will shine a light on the success in the game and the people, brands and organisations which support its growth. I am so pleased to be supporting it.”
Cui He, Director of Europe, SHEIN, said, “We are incredibly excited to be partnering with the Women’s Football Awards on this event, which will celebrate the positive achievements of women and girls in football in the UK and beyond. SHEIN and the Women’s Football Awards share a common value of empowering and uplifting our communities. This ceremony will be a true celebration of inspiring people and organisations highlighting the amazing contributions of those in the women’s game.”
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