Mead and Williamson shortlisted for the 2023 Women's Football Awards

Beth Mead and Leah Williamson lead the Lionesses’ stars shortlisted for the 2023 Women’s Football Awards with Jamie Carragher and Eni Aluko to host the ceremony in London on May 25

  • The inaugural Women’s Football Awards is set to take place in London this May
  • It will honour grassroots greatness as well as national and international stars
  • The shortlist for the first event of its kind was announced on Tuesday morning

The star-studded shortlist for the 2023 Women’s Football Awards was announced on Tuesday, with several of England’s triumphant Euro 2022 Lionesses in line for recognition.

The ceremony – which will be hosted by former England and Chelsea star Eni Aluko and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher – will take place in London on May 25 and the event is supported by Sportsmail

It pays tribute to grassroots greatness as well as national and international superstars of the women’s game. 

There are several categories in the awards, including the coveted Player of the Year – with Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Mary Earps among those in the running. 

An International Player of the Year is also up for grabs with a glittering shortlist including Alexia Putellas, Alex Morgan and Lucy Bronze, while champions of the women’s game will also be recognised – a list that includes Ian Wright, Karen Carney and former England manager Phil Neville.

Several of England’s Lionesses have been shortlisted for the 2023 Women’s Football Awards


Beth Mead (left) and Leah Williamson (right) are both in the running for Player of the Year

Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson are among those in line for Male Football Ally of the Year

Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson are among those shortlisted for Male Football Ally of the Year in honour of their work to promote women’s football and Sportsmail’s Kathryn Batte is in the running for Women’s Football Broadcaster or Journalist of the Year, coming up against the likes of Alex Scott, Laura Woods and Kate Abdo.

Player of the Year shortlist

· Beth Mead (Arsenal)

· Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

· Alessia Russo (Manchester United)

· Mary Earps (Manchester United)

· Leah Williamson (Arsenal)

· Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

· Rachel Daly (Aston Villa)

· Chloe Kelly (Manchester City)

· Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (Manchester City)

· Millie Bright (Chelsea)

 You can cast your vote at womensfootballawards.com

The event – which comes ahead of the Women’s World Cup this summer – has been backed by England internationals Jess Carter, Nikita Parris and Toni Duggan.

Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Reece James and Everton star Conor Coady have also given their support.

A full list of all the shortlists for the plethora of awards can be found at womensfootballawards.com.  

Commenting on the shortlist, Aluko said: ‘The Women’s Football Awards, supported by SHEIN, is a night of real celebration and 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.

‘This is an incredible shortlist with so many amazing players, brands, media personalities and organisations featured. 

‘The public have voted in their thousands and each category will be tightly contested. It is a real honour to be presenting these awards.’

Carragher added: ‘The shortlist features some of the best and most outstanding talent in women’s football today. 

‘There are some fantastic players on this list who are achieving so much in the sport. 

‘It is also great to see male football allies recognised as well as other individuals and organisations who are playing their part to grow women’s football. It is going to be a fantastic event.’


Eni Aluko (right) and Jamie Carragher (left) will host the Women’s Football Awards in a flagship event celebrating all levels of women’s football for the first time 


Karen Carney (left) and Ian Wright (right) are in the running for the Women’s Football Champion of the Year, alongside other figures like Phil Neville and Chelsea boss Emma Hayes

Manchester United, Manchester City, Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea and Arsenal are also all vying for Best Club of the Year, while organisations who have gone above and beyond to promote women’s football will also be honoured.

Everton Football Club, Miss Kick Foundation, Inspire Girls Football and Weymouth Women are all shortlisted for Grassroots Initiative of the Year.

Global brands which have shown a major commitment to supporting women’s football including VISA, TGI Friday’s, NIKE, EA Sports, PlayStation, TikTok, Continental Tyres, eBay, EE and Starling Bank are also shortlisted.

Male Football Ally of the Year 

· Declan Rice (West Ham United)

· Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)

· Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)

· Reece James (Chelsea)

· Rob Holding (Arsenal)

· David De Gea (Manchester United)

· Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

· Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa)

· Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

· Joao Cancelo (Bayern Munich)

You can cast your vote at womensfootballawards.com 

Women’s Football Champion of the Year 

· Ian Wright 

· Tracey Crouch MP

· Karen Carney

· Hope Powell

· Lisa O’Keefe

· Emma Hayes

· Phil Neville

· Paul Barber

· Leah Case + Eve Ralph

· Susan Whelan

You can cast your vote at womensfootballawards.com

The public are invited to cast their votes on the shortlist at womensfootballawards.com

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