WSL Football Awards - Club Nominated Shortlist
As part of the upcoming WSL Football Awards, clubs were asked to submit their nominations for three categories that aim to shine a light on the efforts of all those involved in the game, not just on the pitch.
The categories and the shortlists – including the reasons shared with clubs for their nominees – can be found below.
Player Champion of Change, Presented by Mercedes-Benz
The criteria for this award was a player who has made a significant impact within their communities and/or on social media through outreach, thought leadership, engagement, charity work or social justice initiatives to bring attention to and positively influence causes.
The shortlisted players are as follows:
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Alessia launched the Alessia Russo Foundation in October 2025 to help girls and women reach their potential on and off the pitch.
Its flagship Alessia Cup engaged 180 girls from North London schools, with strong feedback and measurable increases in inspiration and comfort playing sport; 53 schools have since registered interest.
Atlanta Primus (Southampton)
Atlanta co-created Ignite Potential, a Saints Foundation programme supporting girls aged 11–16 from hard-to-reach communities.
Her leadership helped secure £25,000 from the PFA and Premier League and she has stayed hands-on in delivery, creating confidence-building and leadership opportunities for girls facing access barriers.
Emily Murphy (Newcastle United)
Emily has made a significant impact in the Great North Children’s Hospital through regular (often unpublicised) visits and ongoing volunteering with the Newcastle United Foundation.
As a United for Health ambassador and recent PFA Community Champion, she also helped bring 10 hospital patients to a Birmingham City fixture as mascots, creating a memorable matchday experience for children and families.
Ffion Morgan (West Ham United)
Ffion uses her growing social media platform to inspire and inform. Proud of her Welsh identity, she champions Welsh language and culture and has earned 50+ caps since debuting for Wales at 17, including featuring at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
Through behind-the-scenes content such as her popular ‘Day in the Life’ series, she gives young fans an authentic look at professional football.
She also advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion, celebrates Welsh culture, and connects directly with young players—helping make football feel more welcoming and accessible.
Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea)
Kadeisha founded the KB3 Foundation in Canada to support single mothers and their daughters in Ontario’s Peel Region.
Through mentorship, leadership and life-skills programmes and access to football, KB3 helps reduce financial barriers and widen opportunity for girls and families.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
Phallon has led Manchester United Foundation’s Players’ Project Pilot (Premier League and PFA), using her marine biology expertise to educate young people through the Eco Reds programme.
She plans and delivers school sessions and supported an Eco Reds launch at Manchester Museum (161 pupils), with 93% feeling more inspired, 78% reporting increased awareness of environmental issues, and 92% feeling better equipped to care for their local environment.
Sabrina D'Angelo (Aston Villa)
Sabrina has made a strong impact in Birmingham through consistent Aston Villa Foundation work focused on inclusion, wellbeing, confidence and opportunities for young people.
She supported Premier League Inspires x Play Her Way (with the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust), Everybody’s Game (Women’s History Month tournament), and Play it Forward (Aston Villa Foundation x Kaizen Foundation), engaging around 30, 60 and 45 participants respectively—over 100 people directly—and using Q&As and workshops to share her pathway and reinforce representation and accessibility.
Her involvement in initiatives focused on British South Asian communities and young girls in sport has also helped reinforce the importance of creating inclusive spaces within football and has consistently embraced opportunities to use her voice positively within the community.
Club Hero Award
This award aims to celebrate a behind-the-scenes individual, whose tireless efforts, dedication and passion have contributed to the success and wellbeing of their club.
The shortlisted individuals are as follows:
Val McDermott (Crystal Palace)
Val is a key behind-the-scenes figure supporting the Women’s team as Academy Kitchen Coordinator, where she builds strong daily relationships with players through care, positivity and support.
Creating a welcoming, uplifting environment in the cafeteria, she is widely praised by players and staff for her influence and attitude, and is seen as a core contributor to team culture and success.
Maurice Wake (Sunderland)
Maurice is a 75-year-old steward and one of the club’s longest-serving, most respected staff members who supports the Sunderland team across logistics, transport, matchdays and player welfare.
Whether it is driving kit vans, coordinating stewarding teams or assisting with medical appointments, he is known for his warmth, positivity and tireless work ethic and embodying Sunderland’s values of hard work, energy and community spirit
He is viewed by many across the club as the ultimate “Club Hero”.
Eric Coleborn (Portsmouth)
The former Chairman of the club, Eric now acts as a director who plays an active, hands-on role in day-to-day club life at Portsmouth.
Personally welcoming and thanking supporters on matchdays and fostering inclusivity, he champions community-focused initiatives and strengthens fan engagement.
Regularly engaging with players, staff and supporters beyond his core responsibilities, Eric has helped to reinforce Portsmouth’s identity as a community-driven club.
Heather Carroll (Liverpool)
Heather – a highly trusted operational figure known for her professionalism, reliability and positivity, is a long-serving staff member celebrating 10 years at Liverpool Women
She plays a major role in the running of matchdays, but particularly with player and staff operations behind the scenes, consistently going above and beyond to support club initiatives and solve problems.
Widely recognised as the team’s “go-to” person during high-pressure situations, Heather is a key contributor to a supportive culture, strong relationships and professional standards at Liverpool Football Club.
Sarah Westwood (Birmingham City)
Sarah has played a crucial role in sustaining the women’s programme, taking on multiple responsibilities including operations, kit, budgeting and logistics.
Helping to stabilise and safeguard the team during a critical stage in the club’s history, she recently racked up eight years of loyal service and is widely respected for her calm, dependable and professional leadership, as well as being instrumental in laying the foundations for the club’s long-term growth and progress.
Phil Moody (Southampton)
Phil - Southampton’s First Team Operations Manager (focused on player support and performance), creates highly organised, personalised schedules and communication for players.
He helps players focus fully on performance through strong operational support, and shares best practices from the women’s team across the wider club.
He has previously been recognised internally at the club through multiple “Game Changer” nominations and staff awards, and is praised for his collaborative mindset, player care and commitment to club-wide improvement.
Mark Hannen (Newcastle United)
Mark is a trusted and knowledgeable staff member with 25 years of service to the club who is known for always being available to help and solve problems quickly.
Boasting a deep understanding of the club, he supports efficient operations and collaboration, bringing enthusiasm, professionalism and pride to his work every day
Highly respected for his approachable, supportive attitude and expertise, Mark has a hugely positive influence on morale, teamwork and club culture across departments.
Fan of the Year, Presented by The FSA
This award is for an individual who has gone above and beyond to champion the sport, whether through attending matches, advocating for women’s football in their community or contributing to the growth and visibility of the game in creative and inspiring ways*. *
The shortlists supporters are as follows:
Basil Goode (Chelsea)
Basil is one of the most recognisable and committed fans in women’s football, bringing vocal, passionate support to Chelsea home and away - complete with flags, scarves, pin badges, his bucket hat and often a musical instrument.
His dedication extends to England, following the Lionesses with the same energy. Basil is also known for welcoming home and away supporters alike, often being the first person new fans meet, and his visibility helps showcase the inclusive culture of the women’s game.
Bethany Hall (Arsenal)
Bethany is a long-time Arsenal Women season ticket holder and artist who strengthens supporter culture through creative work.
Via the club’s Block by Block supporter project, she co-created a permanent hand-painted mural in the Block 26 concourse at Emirates Stadium, honouring long-time supporter Maria Petri alongside captain Kim Little and fellow supporters.
She also designed the ‘Legend, Leader, Little’ crowdsurfer banner for Kim Little’s 400th appearance—the first player-specific display in Arsenal Women’s history—showcasing the creativity and inclusivity of the Arsenal Women community
Cath Hurley (Liverpool)
Cath set herself a 2025 challenge to attend 50 women’s matches in 12 months, from grassroots to international, and shared the journey via @sheshoots_shetours.
By documenting mostly solo matchdays, she has encouraged others to attend their first game (even alone), shone a light on local teams, and helped people discover the women’s football pyramid.
She also created a WhatsApp group where fans can chat, share fixture tips and make friends—turning individual matchdays into a welcoming community
Claire Barrett (Birmingham City)
Claire supports women’s football through sustained, hands-on commitment as Vice-Chair, Secretary and Safeguarding Lead of the Birmingham City Women Supporters Group, helping ensure a safe and inclusive fan environment.
She follows the team home and away, champions the U21s pathway, promotes inclusion as a Her Game Too Ambassador, and strengthens engagement through the Bromsgrove Blues supporters club—building strong links with players, staff and fellow fans.
Claire Jane Pope (Crystal Palace)
Claire co-leads the CPFCW Supporters Group and represents supporters on the club’s Fan Advisory Board, using that platform to improve the matchday experience and strengthen the link between fans and the club.
She travels to every match with her family, brings the supporters group to life through social content, and works with the club in the fanzone—running giveaways and promoting campaigns such as the Women’s Empowerment game.
Ian Chiverton (Portsmouth)
Ian founded and runs the Portsmouth Women’s Supporters Club, investing significant time in organising, engaging and growing the fanbase.
He promotes the women’s game through supporter-led initiatives—including funding 1-to-1 development sessions for young female players—strengthens communication between supporters and the club and supports wider local work through Pompey in the Community.
Jo Davis (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Jo has championed Brighton & Hove Albion Women for decades, including as a home and away season ticket holder and Chair of the Fan Advisory Board.
She has helped improve accessibility and visibility through practical action—supporting away travel provision, creating away-fan guides, backing fan wellbeing work with Samaritans, and using media opportunities to advocate for the club’s commitment to a dedicated women’s stadium.
Sian Wallis (Tottenham Hotspur)
Sian has followed Spurs Women since 2017/18 and has missed just two away games in the last five seasons. She strengthens the matchday experience by arriving early to put up flags, and she runs the Tottenham Hotspur Women Supporters’ Club and its WhatsApp group for hundreds of members.
Sian also organises subsidised away coaches, represents fans on the Women’s Fan Advisory Board, and helps grow community visibility through the N17 Women podcast—making it easier for supporters to travel, connect and feel part of the club.
Follow the Barclays WSL’s social channels, and for exclusive content download the WSL Football app, to find out the winners of the awards as they’re announced on Monday 18 May.
