England to launch WSL Hall of Fame

England's Women’s Super League has reached one of its first significant landmarks, marking the 10-year anniversary of the league’s launch.

To celebrate the anniversary, The FA is launching its first Barclays FA Women’s Super League Hall of Fame, which will look to recognise those individuals who have made a significant impact on the league. Whether that be a Golden Boot winner, a Championship-winning coach, or an individual who has displayed excellence or leadership during the league’s existence, induction into the Hall of Fame will be reserved for an exclusive group each year, honouring their contribution to the league.

An induction event will take place later in the year and an expert panel will create a shortlist of nominees before determining who will be the first inductees.

A decade of growth

The launch of the Hall of Fame will double up as a celebration and acknowledgement of the ten-year anniversary of the league, which has seen significant development since its inaugural season.

On 13 April 2011, Chelsea and Arsenal stepped onto the field at Tooting & Mitcham Football Club to kick off the very first match in the league, with the Blues’ Helen Ward kicking the first ball in the competition, and Arsenal’s Gilly Flaherty scoring the first goal in a 1-0 win for the Gunners in front of 2,510 fans.

What has followed has been a ten-year journey that started with an eight-team, semi-professional competition, that has developed into a fully professional 12-team league with added exposure and an ever-increasing audience.

Teams have gone full-time, players have become household names, and some of the best talent has come through the England pathway, as well as from abroad.

Fans have played a significant part in the league’s growth, with crowds growing over the 10 years, supported by clubs opening their main stadia that has seen crowds flock to the Etihad Stadium, Stamford Bridge and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – where a record crowd of 38,262 witnessed last season’s North London derby.

Honouring major contributions

Kelly Simmons, FA director of the women’s professional game, said: "I could never have envisaged the league having been on such a journey of growth and development when we launched it 10 years ago. The support we have received from clubs, stakeholders, the media and fans has been overwhelming.

"The launch of the Barclays FA WSL Hall of Fame is designed to recognise those who have made a major contribution to the league over the last 10 years. I am delighted that Barclays will be supporting it, and I am really excited to have our first induction later this year.

"I want to say thank you to all those who have been on the journey with us over the last 10 years. Without your support, we wouldn’t be where we are now. Rest assured, we still have huge ambitions for this league, with the ultimate goal to have the best professional women’s competition in the world."