The Women's Super League Hall of Fame (WSL Hall of Fame) honours the leading

association football Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

players and coaches that have played or managed in the

Women's Super League The Women's Super League (WSL), currently known as the Barclays Women's Super League (BWSL) for sponsorship reasons, is the highest league of women's football in England. Established in 2010, it is run by the Football Association and features t ...

(previously known as the FA WSL; FA Women's Super League), the top level of the

English football league system The English football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for men's association football clubs in England, with five teams from Wales, one from Guernsey, one from Jersey and one from the Isl ...

. Inaugurated in 2021, the

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

, was launched to concide with the 10th anniversary of the league following its inception in April 2011. It is intended to recognise and honour players and individuals that who have contributed to the growth of the women's game in England and the WSL since its founding. In September 2021, as part of the inaugural class of 2021, three players were inducted;

Fara Williams Fara Tanya Franki Merrett MBE (born 25 January 1984) is an English former footballer who played as a central midfielder for multiple clubs, as well as the English national team. A consistent goalscorer and set-piece specialist, Williams was co ...

Rachel Yankey Rachel Aba Yankey, OBE (born 1 November 1979) is an English former footballer who played for the England national team. She played as a left winger or forward. She left Arsenal after 13 years in December 2016 at the end of her contract. She is ...

Kelly Smith Kelly Jayne Smith (born 29 October 1978) is an English former football forward who spent three spells with FA WSL club Arsenal Ladies. After moving to the United States, Smith broke records with Seton Hall University then played professionally ...

and one manager,

Emma Hayes Emma Carol Hayes (born 18 October 1976) is an English professional football manager. She is currently the manager of FA WSL club Chelsea Women. She previously served as the head coach and director of football operations for Chicago Red Stars o ...

. The next year, a further three players were inducted.

Eligibility requirements

Those eligible for induction into the FA WSL Hall of Fame, include retired players, both active and retired coaches and active or retired match officials. The one thing they must all have "in common, is the positive impact and legacy" they have left on the league since the inception of the

FA WSL The Women's Super League (WSL), currently known as the Barclays Women's Super League (BWSL) for sponsorship reasons, is the highest league of women's football in England. Established in 2010, it is run by the Football Association and features t ...

in 2011. Their selected is only judged on their domestic performances in the FA WSL with no other competitions considered. To assist the selection panel in selecting their inductee nominations, the following standards have been established: * Players - Players must have participated in the Women's Super League (WSL) for at least three years and have made a major contribution to the league, whether as a champion, a team leader, or an exceptional individual player (or via her individual performances / individual accolades). * Coaches - Coaches must have won a league championship or coached in the league for at least three years. The individual must have had a huge impact on the league, whether it was through winning the competition or nurturing new talent (youth development). * Officials - Officials must have contributed significantly to the league during their tenure as officials and to have upheld a high standard of refereeing to support the Women's Super League's standards, integrity, and professionalism.

Inductees

Players by nationality

References

General * Specific {{English football awards English football trophies and awards History of football in England Association football museums and halls of fame Lists of English sportspeople Halls of fame in England 2021 establishments in England 2021 in British sport 2021 in association football Women's Super League awards English women's football trophies and awards