Wiegman, Shaw win at Women’s Football Awards

England manager Sarina Wiegman has been named Coach of the Year at the 2024 Women’s Football Awards in London, while Manchester City‘s Bunny Shaw won Player of the Year after scoring 21 goals in 18 games for the Women’s Super League runners-up.

Wiegman led the Lionesses to a second-place finish at the 2023 World Cup in Australia.

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The England manager won the award ahead of newly appointed United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes, despite the former Chelsea manager winning the WSL for a fifth consecutive time before departing the club.

Launched in 2023, the awards are the first publicly-voted ceremony that recognise all levels of the women’s game, predominantly in the United Kingdom, from grassroots greatness to superstar players.

More than 25,000 votes were cast ahead of the event in Mayfair.

Former England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton — who recently retired from football after an illustrious 20-year career which included winning 16 domestic trophies — was honoured as the 2024 Inspirational Role Model.

Former teammate and Real Madrid star Caroline Weir presented the award and called the 35-year-old “a pioneer of English football.”

The second edition of the awards also honoured Shaw for her exceptional performance in the WSL, despite City falling short on goal difference to league winners Chelsea, who claimed Club of the Year.

Sam Kerr was highly commended in the category despite being ruled out for half of the campaign following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in January.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps earned the World Cup Hero award, joining via video link alongside Wiegman as the Lionesses prepare for their Euro 2025 qualifier against France in Newcastle on Friday.

Although England fell short in the final, losing 1-0 to Spain, the goalkeeper was commended for her exceptional performance, which included saving Jenni Hermoso’s penalty in the final.

Her efforts throughout the tournament were regarded as exceptional. Her stellar penalty shootout saves against Nigeria in the round of 16 were also highlighted.

Spain midfielder and Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmatí was highly commended.

Kerry Davis, the first Black woman to represent England, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by 2000 Olympic heptathlon champion Denise Lewis.

In March, Davis was added to the Football Black List, which recognises the most influential black figures in British football. Widely regarded as a trailblazer in the sport, she represented Croydon, Liverpool, and Napoli, and earned 82 England caps between 1982 and 1998.

England and Bayern Munich star Georgia Stanway claimed the International Football Player of the Year, while Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier was named Young Player of the Year.

Alex Scott was awarded Broadcaster of the Year, and Disney claimed the Grassroots Initiative of the Year for UEFA Playmakers alongside McDonald’s Fun Football campaign.