Metro, TikTok, Shein and Visa are sponsoring this year’s awards (Picture: Women’s Football Awards)
The 2024 Women’s Football Awards, in association with SHEIN and Metro, will be held Thursday, May 30, to celebrate all levels of women’s football.
From grassroots greatness to success of star players on the pitch, the event will see star-studded attendees celebrate some of the greatest women athletes playing today.
Co-host Eni Aluko, a former Chelsea, Juventus and England midfielder, said: ‘We’re incredibly excited for it. The success of the Lionesses in recent years has opened up the game in hugely positive ways to a new generation of fans. It is amazing to see the sport growing.
’The Women’s Football Awards is all about celebrating and elevating women’s football at every level.’
This year’s awards, backed by Metro, is set to be the biggest yet, as fans nominate their favourite players, clubs, grassroots initiatives and vote for them in a major public vote.
This year, more than 25,000 nominations were received.
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, who is hosting the event at London’s Marriott Hotel in Mayfair alongside Aluko, said: ’I am delighted to be back hosting the Women’s Football Awards this year. I am a proud ally of the women’s game and I’ll do what I can to make sure it grows and the success of people in the sport is recognised properly.
‘It is fantastic to be involved in this event. It is going to be another great night.’
Ahead of the ceremony, which is headline sponsored by SHEIN and supported by VISA, here are seven things to expect:
Football loving celebrities out in force
Mel B is rumoured to be attending (Picture: Shutterstock)
It is set to be a night packed with celebrity fans of women’s football, from Spice Girls to Radio Djs.
Spice Girl Melanie B, TV and radio personality Mylene Klass, Love Island star Gemma Owen, One Show presenters Jermaine Jenas and Alex Jones, Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts, Strictly’s Tess Daly and Loose Women’s Linda Robson and Denise Welch are all rumoured to be on the guest list.
Real Madrid superstar Caroline Weir is also attending the ceremony and will be opening the occasion with a keynote speech.
Performances from pop icons
Pixie Lott will perform at this year’s ceremony (Picture: WireImage)
Award-winning pop star and singer songwriter Pixie Lott will perform a headline set at this year’s awards.
The All About Tonight hitmaker will take centre stage at the ceremony as famous faces from world football come together for the event.
Speaking ahead of the big night, Pixie, said: ‘I can’t wait to perform at the 2024 Women’s Football Awards and help celebrate the amazing success of the Lionesses and women’s footballers from across Europe.
‘It is going to be a truly special evening and I feel privileged to be involved.’
Support for grassroots women’s football organisations
Her Game Too is one of the foundations to attend the event (Picture: Shutterstock)
Sponsors SHEIN have invested in the Women’s Football Awards to help grassroots organisations such as Her Game Too, Weymouth Women and Women In Football attend the event.
They’re also dressing women from grassroots clubs for the occasion – as well as some of the celebrity attendees for the turquoise carpet.
There is also a special award category for the Grassroots Initiative of the Year with a number of brilliant organisations in the mix.
Jamie Carragher said: ‘SHEIN’s backing of the Women’s Football Awards, and commitment to supporting women and girls’ access sport, has been brilliant.
‘They sponsored the Women’s Football Awards last year and have come back again. The whole team there has been great.’
Allies showing their support for the women’s game
Harry Kane and Declan Rice were big male allies last year (Picture: PA)
England captain Harry Kane and teammate Declan Rice were the big male allies to attend the Women’s Football Awards in 2023.
The Women’s Football Awards will be celebrating allies from the men’s game this year too.
Names being mentioned include Aston Villa’s Tryone Mings, who has shown his support for women’s football by providing opportunities for girls at his Midlands-based academy.
Arsenal’s Buyako Saka and former footballer Jermaine Jenas have also demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting the growth of the women’s game and they are also rumoured to be recognised at the event.
Women’s football trailblazers will be recognised
Carol Thomas was given a Lifetime Achievement Award last year (Picture: Getty)
Once again, the Women’s Football Awards will be celebrating trailblazers of the sport.
Last year, Carol Thomas, the first woman to reach 50 caps for England, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Women’s Football Awards say they are committed to making sure that football players from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, who have been long forgotten for their excellence on the pitch and wider efforts to promote the sport for women, are remembered.
They say the winner of the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award has smashed the glass ceiling for women in the sport. The recipient will be revealed next Thursday.
Who will win Club of the Year?
Manchester has had a big season this year (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have all had big seasons.
Last weekend, Chelsea won the WSL title but many teams throughout all women’s leagues have had great seasons too.
Big clubs such as Brighton & Hove Albion Women and Liverpool F.C. Women are also investing heavily in their teams and facilities for their women’s teams.
It will be interesting to see who tops the public vote in the Club of the Year category after big campaigns from football fans on social media.
The hotly contested Player of the Year category
Jess Carter is in the running for the Player of the Year Award (Picture: Getty)
Lionesses Mary Earps, Lauren James and Jess Carter are all in the mix for the Player of the Year Award.
Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Millie Bright are also hotly tipped in this category too. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Norway international Frida Manuum, who is a firm fan favourite, is also on the shortlist.
Manchester United’s Nikita Parris and Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw are in the running too. Shaw was inducted into the PFA Team of the Year for 2023 after bagging 31 goals in 30 games for city, as well as being named Player of the Season at the Citizens.
It is a public vote, so anything could happen. The Women’s Football Awards, sponsored by SHEIN, will take place on May 30.
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