The Festival of Women’s Football Awards is proud to announce the shortlisted nominees across their ‘On the Pitch Player’ categories for this year’s highly anticipated event. These accolades celebrate outstanding talent, dedication, and performance in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and Championship, highlighting the exceptional contributions of the players to the beautiful game.
The finalists from the first three categories (Goalkeeper of the Year, Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year) have been selected based on rigorous, science-driven analysis provided by sports intelligence platform Twenty3, utilising data from Wyscout (Hudl), which covers WSL and Championship matches from Week 1 to Week 16. Additionally, the Overseas Player of the Year category incorporates insights from Fantasy WSL alongside Twenty3 stats.
The shortlisted players in each category are as follows:
The shortlisted players in each category are as follows:
1) Goalkeeper of the Year
Recognising the goalkeepers whose resilience, quick reflexes, and brilliant saves have made an unforgettable impact this season.
- Phallon Tullis-Joyce – Manchester Utd
- Courtney Brosnan – Everton
- Sian Rogers – Sheffield Utd
- Kinga Szemik – West Ham Utd
- Hannah Hampton – Chelsea
- Daphne Van Domselaar – Arsenal
2) Player of the Year
Attackers: Judged on goals scored, assists, shots attempted, shots on target, and dribbles completed.
- Isobel Goodwin – London City Lionesses
- Alessia Russo – Arsenal
- Shania Hayles – Newcastle Utd
- Mary Fowler – Man City
- Katie Kitching – Sunderland
- Viviane Asseyi – West Ham Utd
- Aggie Beever-Jones – Chelsea
Midfielders: Evaluated on passing accuracy, passes completed, passes received, key passes completed, crosses completed, and final third passes completed.
- Yui Hasegawa – Man City
- Jordan Nobbs – Aston Villa
- Lauren Hemp – Man City
- Sofia Jakobsson – London City Lionesses
- Vicky Losada – Brighton and Hove Albion
Defenders: Assessed based on defensive actions attempted, defensive actions successful, interceptions, ball recoveries completed, clearances, and non-penalty goals conceded.
- Ashleigh Neville – Spurs
- Alexia Potter – Crystal Palace
- Ruby Mace – Leicester City
- Catherine Bott – Leicester City
- Riva Casley – Portsmouth
- Sophie Howard – Leicester City
- Neve Herron – Birmingham City
- Maya Le Tissier – Man Utd
- Amber Tysiak – West Ham United
3) Young Player of the Year
Highlighting rising stars 23 or under who have showcased their talent and promise in the WSL and Championship this season.
Attackers: Judged on goals scored, assists, shots attempted, shots on target, and dribbles completed.
- Freya Gregory – Newcastle Utd
- Elisabeth Terland – Man Utd
- Isobel Goodwin – London City Lionesses
- Eleanor Dale – Sunderland
- Mary Fowler – Man City
- Celin Bizet IIdusoy – Man Utd
Midfielders: Evaluated on passing accuracy, passes completed, passes received, key passes completed, crosses completed, and final third passes completed.
- Alexia Potter – Crystal Palace
- Ruby Mace – Leicester City
- Aoba Fujino – Man City
- Jessica Park – Man City
- Kyra Cooney-Cross – Arsenal
- Marie Hobinger – Liverpool
Defenders: Assessed based on defensive actions attempted, defensive actions successful, interceptions, ball recoveries completed, clearances, and non-penalty goals conceded.
- Neve Herron – Birmingham City
- Grace Ayre – Durham
- Maya Le Tissier – Man Utd
- Tara Bourne – Southampton
- Teyah Goldie – London City Lionesses
4) Overseas Player of the Year
Celebrating players from abroad whose skill and contributions have elevated the WSL, based on Fantasy WSL and Twenty3 Toolbox statistics.
- Katie McCabe – Arsenal
- Khadija Shaw – Man City
- Mary Fowler – Man City
- Dominique Janssen – Man Utd
- Phallon Tullis-Joyce – Manchester Utd
- Viviane Asseyi – West Ham Utd
- Elisabeth Terland – Man Utd
- Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – Chelsea
- Mariona Caldentey – Arsenal
- Guro Reiten – Chelsea
- Jayde Riviere – Man Utd
- Emily Fox – Arsenal
- Mayra Ramirez – Chelsea
- Daphne Van Domselaar – Arsenal
- Jill Roord – Man City
The winners will be revealed at the Festival of Women’s Football Awards ceremony, a night dedicated to applauding excellence and inspiring the next generation of players.
As part of the sponsorship packages available to support the event, 10% of all sponsor fees will be placed in a foundation and reinvested directly into the game. For more information on partnership packages, visit the website.
The first edition of the Festival of Women’s Football Awards will take place on Wednesday 23rd April. For those wishing to attend this year’s event, visit here for ticket information and further details.
