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To mark the UK's recent jubilee weekend we asked our members to nominate their own Women in Football royalty. They came back with 30 names – some well known, others less so, but all fully deserving of the #QueenOfWIF crown for their own unique and brilliant contributions to the game.

So for this month's members in focus feature, we're highlighting all 30 of our WIF jubilee queens! Read on, give them a follow on Twitter, and join us in celebrating their achievements.

 

Kat Anastasi
Head of Live Sport, talkSPORT
@KatAnastasi

"On a professional level she is a total inspiration, a women at the top of her game in a male-dominated industry. On a personal level, she is a constant source of support and advice – one of the best humans I know" – Charlotte Thomson

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Sarai Bareman
Chief Women's Football Officer, FIFA
@SarBareman

“Sarai is just so incredibly driven, but she also really cares about the development of the women's game in countries where it’s still got so much room for improvement. Whether it’s addressing an audience at a formal event, or getting her trainers on to have a kickabout with young girls, she is happy to get involved for the good of the game” – anonymous

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Carol Bates BEM
Founder, chair and coach, Crawley Old Girls FC
@CarolBates

"Mother of women’s recreational football. Inspirational, determined, supportive. She’s always there to give advice. Love her!" – Andrea Ellis

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Sara Booth MBE
FIFA Head of Competitions - Women’s Football Division
@saraboothNI

"Bit of an unsung hero in my opinion. Does a lot of work that people don't see. Again, humble, driven and really cares about what she does. One of the best people I have had the privilege of working with. Just a real pleasure and has done a lot of tremendous work" – anonymous

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Kait Borsay
Broadcaster
@kaitborsay

"Does a lot to highlight and promote various issues in women’s football through the medium of podcasting, as well as shining a light on those who are making a big difference in the game” – Lorenzo

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Helena Bowman
Head of Business Operations, Middlesbrough FC
@helenabowman18

“She was head of Middlesbrough FC Foundation for six years, working for the foundation for a total of 16 years and is now Head of Business Operations for the club. Has done so much for the foundation and now helping to lead the club” – Lynsey Edwards

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Mariana Cabral
Coach
@marianacabral

“She is the first woman in Portugal to win the Portuguese Cup as a player and a coach. History was made in  women’s football in Portugal and it was a milestone for the Portuguese Women In Football” – anonymous

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Romina Calatayud
Founder and CEO, Girls United FA
@RominaCalatayud

"For all the amazing work she does with Girls United FA, both here and in Mexico" – Ali Speechley

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Emma Calvert
Global Head of Treasury, City Football Group
@CalvertEmma

"My queen of women in football (and I may be slightly biased) is my daughter Emma Calvert, who at 29 is Global Head of Treasury for City Football Group" – John Calvert

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Lily Davis
Student, player, coach
@lilydavis_x

“Last weekend my daughter Lily captained her team Surrey International against Afghanistan Dev to a 4-0 win. She was proud to represent her team and play against a team of inspirational players who have had to flee their country.
She also coaches a year 5/6 girls school team and next season she will be coaching her local district team”

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Harriet Drudge
Senior Social Media Manager, The Athletic
@hmdrudge

"The social media queen, she is so thorough, so organised, works so hard to get the product we make seen by so many people. And it’s not unnoticed but it’s not heralded as well as it could be. Plus she does so much at South London WFC too – she uses platforms better than ABBA!"

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Helen Hardy
Founder, Manchester Laces FC
@helenfootball

“The gaffer – she literally gives her life to women’s football both with her business Foudy's, which aims to put women’s football merchandise (and players) front and centre, as well as founding the first inclusive women’s football club in Manchester. She’s borderline obsessive about women’s equality and inclusivity and she’s changing the world” – Manchester Laces FC

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Lynsey Hooper
Broadcaster
@lynseyhooper

"Does a lot to highlight and promote various issues in women’s football through the medium of podcasting, as well as shining a light on those who are making a big difference in the game” – Lorenzo

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Bethany Hushon
Head of Community, iSportConnect
@HUSHonSport

"Bethany is my partner in crime at events who never fails to introduce me to someone new and interesting. As Head of Community at iSportConnect it's no suprise she is a networking queen and very good friend to have!" – Charlotte Thomson

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Tina Jacobs
Victory Hants
@VictoryHants

“She deals with all processes with our club. We are a disability team. Tina is amazing in her ability to set up a team for social inclusion, and now we have been around 10 years” – Sarah

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Beth Jenkinson-Garner
People & Projects Manager, Sporting People
@B3thGarner

"She has done so much hard work to get the pipeline of next WIFs the leadership skills and confidence to work in the game. A great human being. Thank you" – Steph Powell

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Lucy Keeling
Equality and Diversity Lead, Aston Villa FC
@deflucy5

"She's done some incredible work at Aston Villa and champions diversity in sport. She's been immensely helpful as we've set up the Villa Bellas and juggles so much, she really does deserve it" – Villa Bellas

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Florence Lloyd-Hughes
Journalist
@FloydTweet

"She’s here, she’s there, she’s everywhere, it’s Flo Lloyd-Hughes! Sure, she podcasts but she’s also championing women, giving a voice to minorities, and organising great events for women and LGBT+ to be a community where they feel safe to celebrate football. Ian Wright thinks she’s great, and I think a lot of people do too" – Abi Paterson

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Casey Lynchey
Founder, Bury AFC Women
@KCLynchey

“Casey set up Bury AFC Women, where there are now over 200 women from 18 to in their 60s participating in footy” – Sharon Skade

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Donna McIvor
Senior National Development Manager (Programmes), FA
@donnamcivor

“For her incredible work with Barclays Football to ensure that this generation of girls get to play in school. Tireless work to change opportunities for this generation” – Kelly Simmons OBE

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Minal Modha
Sport analyst
@m_modha

"My oldest friend in the industry, Consumer Research Lead at Ampere Analysis and Sports Industry next gen alumni, Minal is one of the brightest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I'm also lucky enough to call her one of my best friend's, total bonus!" – Charlotte Thomson

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Jacqui Oatley MBE
Broadcaster
@JacquiOatley

"Jacqui is one of the most supportive and kind-hearted women I've ever met! She is truly dedicated to lifting up women in sports journalism and offers her hard-earned free time to helping women that are new to the industry. I know this from personal experience and am so grateful for everything she has done for me! She's also super down to earth and great fun, making everyone around her feel immediately at ease" – Ruby Malone

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Emily Oram
Content creator
@_emilyoram

"She runs a great, accessible newsletter called The Way U Talk About Ball (named after a sexist DM she got) and goes a long way to get people engaged in football in a really fun, non-patronising way" – Ros

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Kelly Simmons OBE
Women's Professional Game Director, FA
@KellySimmo1

"Her role in the evolution of the professional game in England is incredible. Most importantly, she is a joy to work with, incredibly humble, and genuinely cares about the people she works with and the direction the game is going in" – anonymous

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Kelly Smith MBE
Pundit and ex-player
@kelly_smith10

"The game is now fully professional and we have an abundance of talent representing both the Lionesses and clubs in the WSL. But there is only one Kelly Smith, who continues to champion the game through her media work and panel appearances to promote the game she was once the face of in this country" – anonymous

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Claire Stancliffe
Player and coach
@clairels1989

“The queen of deaf football. She’s the ultimate role model for all. Played for our Lionesses and GB deaf for 15 years now and counting. On top of that, she did all that fundraising and came back from serious injury. Just a legend” – Clayton

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Justine Thomson
Founder, Brighton Seagals FC
@jstnthmsn

"For creating such a welcoming and inclusive space for women and non-binary people at Brighton Seagals. The club wouldn't be where it is without the dedication and enthusiasm from JT, and it's greatly appreciated by all league and recreational players" – anonymous

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Abi Ticehurst
Content creator
@abfrti1

“Abi works tirelessly to raise the profile of women’s football in Berkshire as well as nationally and internationally.  She’s so supportive of all the female players in her network and really goes out of her way to build up others. The content she puts out, whether that be articles, podcasts or just simple tweets, is all fantastic for the women’s game” – Alicia Povey

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Laura Williamson
Deputy Editor, The Athletic
@lmwilliamson7

"She runs the show, knows what’s what and the best ways of getting a story out. Loves, eats, breathes football and cares so much about you, the product, and getting the best out of the story" – Abi Paterson

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Lin Wilson
Coach
@linwilson66

"A mum, a football coach, an amazing colleague and friend. She had an amazing corporate career and decided to give it all up to give back to the sport she loved and the people she loves! She championed our WIF #GetOnside pledge so hard and continues to wow me and our team every day, reminding us that football is bigger than us and is for everyone! She’s a real queen!" – Preeti Shetty

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