Celebrities across the country are rushing to back a major celebration of women's football as heroes of the game are set for honours.
Following the success of the national team winning their first Women's Euro last year, with I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! winner Jill Scott pivotal to the squad's success, the way the nation has viewed women's football has drastically changed.
As millions praise the likes of Leah Williamson and Queen of the Jungle Jill for inspiring young girls and reminding them it's their game too, a new major awards ceremony has been confirmed with sports presenter Eni Aluko and Celebrity Gogglebox star Jamie Carragher set to host the star-studded affair.
The Mirror can exclusively reveal that when leading personalities from the women’s game, male football allies and celebrities come together in May this year for the event, one iconic showbiz couple may also be dusting off their Sunday best to attend the ceremony.
"Eni and Jamie have both enjoyed illustrious football careers and are now much loved sports broadcasters so bringing them together for this high profile event is a massive coup for women's football," a source has told us.
"Organisers have also secured the swanky surroundings of Nobu Hotel for these awards. It will be packed to the rafters with celebrities and people wanting to show their support for women's football.
"The sport is very much in vogue - even the Beckham's have spoken about their admiration for women's footballers. They could even make an appearance here. This is going to be a huge event!"
The Women's Football Awards, sponsored by global online fashion, beauty and lifestyle retailer SHEIN, will shine a light on the people, brands and organisations who are contributing to the phenomenal growth of women's football.
The glittering event will take place in London on 25 May and will be the first time a major awards event recognising the achievements of women’s football at every level has taken place in the UK.
It's being supported by women’s football personalities including Lionesses Beth Mead, Jess Carter, Nikita Parris and Toni Duggan. It follows the success of the Lionesses in last year's European Women's Championship.
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”
Sky Sports presenter and Celebrity Gogglebox star Jamie Carragher, who won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool, said: "In recent years the growth of the women's game has been phenomenal. The Lionesses' European Championship triumph saw fans around the world fall in love with women's football. The sport is only getting bigger.
It is 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.
Arsenal and England international Beth Mead is backing the Women’s Football Awards too. The 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. 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 public can now nominate for the Women's Football Awards shortlist at www.womensfootballawards.com
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