The FA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the start of the first Super League season for women by launching a first WSL Hall of Fame that will honor legends in the game.
The Barclays-sponsored WSL Hall of Fame will try to recognize people who have made a significant impact on the league. A group of selected nominees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame each year and the first group induced later this year will be selected by an expert panel.
The Hall of Fame has been announced on WSL’s 10th anniversary
The creation of a Hall of Fame will help preserve the WSL’s growing history, which has helped change the women’s football landscape in England since its inception. The first introductory event will also serve as a 10-year celebration of the league in general.
When the first ball was kicked in the WSL on April 13, 2011, it was a semi-professional league with eight clubs. There are now 12 completely professional clubs and the league is fed by a second championship for women which was originally launched as WSL 2 2014
The 2019 World Cup for Women and the fortunes of England have seen interest in women’s football skyrocket in the last two years, with an increasing number of WSL games being held in major arenas and record numbers seen before the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020.
Women’s soccer in England has changed dramatically since 2011 Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images
When arenas reopen, hopefully later in 2021, things will end where they left off, while increased media interest thanks to a new TV broadcasting deal with Sky Sports and the BBC will only serve to increase the audience for WSL.
“I could never have imagined that the league had been on such a journey of growth and development when we launched it ten years ago. The support we have received from clubs, stakeholders, the media and fans has been overwhelming, says Kelly Simmons, FA head of women’s professional football.
WSL played to record crowds before coronavirus pandemic closed stadiums to fans Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
“The launch of the Barclays FA WSL Hall of Fame is designed to recognize those who have made a major contribution to the league over the past ten years. I’m very happy that Barclays will support it, and I’m very happy to have our first introduction later this year.
“I want to say thank you to all those who have been traveling with us for the past ten years. Without your support, we would not be where we are now. Rest assured, we still have huge ambitions for this league, with the ultimate goal of having the best professional women’s competition in the world. ”
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