Former Chelsea star Eni Aluko will be joined by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher to host the inaugural Women’s Football Awards in May.
The event will celebrate the achievements of women in football across all levels and recognise the people, brands and organisations who are contributing to the incredible growth of the game. The ceremony, which will take place ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup this summer, has been backed by England internationals Beth Mead, Jess Carter, Nikita Parris and Toni Duggan.
Real Madrid and Scotland forward Caroline Weir will also be on the judging panel alongside Everton star Conor Coady and Sky Sports News anchors Pete Graves and Hayley McQueen. Former England internationals Anita Asante and Sue Smith have also backed the initiative, which is sponsored by global retailer SHEIN.
Award categories include Player of the Year, International Football Player of the Year, Club of the Year, Grassroots Initiative of the Year, and a 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 has 102 caps for England and is now a leading broadcaster in the game, 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.”
Carragher, who was a Champions League winner with Liverpool and is a vocal advocate for women’s football, added: "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."
The BBC's Sports Personality of the year and 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro Golden Boot winner Beth Mead 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."
The shortlist will be announced on 4 April 2023 ahead of the ceremony which will take place in London on Thursday 25 May. The shortlist and winners will be chosen through a combination of public nominations and a voting process supported by media partners and the judging panel. The public can now nominate their women's football heroes at www.womensfootabllawards.com.
