St Helens launches 'Inspiring Sporting Women' plaque scheme to celebrate and champion local sporting legends

Article date: 8 July 2025

The Inspiring Sporting Women plaque recognition scheme honours exceptional female athletes from the borough who have represented their country at international level, including at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

The initiative, which came about following a motion to council to establish a scheme to recognise female sportswomen in the Borough, proposed by Rainford Ward Councillor Linda Mussell and formally adopted by the council, aims to raise the profile of local women in sport and inspire the next generation of girls and young women to get involved.

As part of the initiative, commemorative plaques will be placed at meaningful locations throughout the borough to honour those selected. The first recipients at the launch event, are:

• Lilly Parr - a trailblazing footballer from St Helens, scored nearly 1,000 goals in a groundbreaking career that challenged gender norms, drew record-breaking crowds, and earned her a place as the first woman inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
• Lizzy Ashcroft - a gifted defender and captain of the legendary Dick, Kerr Ladies, forged a 13-year football career that began at just 16, led tours abroad, and stood alongside teammate Lily Parr in challenging both sporting and societal barriers at a time when women's football faced institutional resistance.
• Lucy Renshall - a double Olympian from Eccleston and former world number one, has claimed six Grand Slam titles and four British Championships in judo, and now combines elite competition with coaching to inspire and support the next generation of judoka.
• Ann Griffiths (née Williams) - a trailblazing middle-distance runner from St Helens, broke the two-minute barrier in the 800m, won Commonwealth silver, and represented Great Britain at every major championship—including the Olympics—during a decade-long elite career that continues to inspire young athletes today.
• Sue Crehan - Susan Crehan, a long-distance runner from Parr, became a double British champion, competed in the 1988 Olympic marathon, and set a Merseyside 10K record that stood for 36 years.
• Sue Smith - a remarkable international footballer from Rainhill, Sue earned over 90 England caps, became the first woman to score at the new Wembley, and now champions the women's game as a prominent TV pundit and advocate for equality in sport.
• Rachael Woosey - a dynamic international player from St Helens, Rachael has represented England in both rugby union and rugby league, winning every major trophy with Saints and making her mark as a prolific try-scorer in both codes.
• Naomi Williams - a lifelong Saints fan turned star back rower, played a key role in St Helens' historic Challenge Cup victories and unbeaten treble-winning season, representing England internationally and now coaching the next generation of girls in rugby league.
• Zoe Harris - a standout rugby league playmaker for St Helens and England, has been central to Saints' multiple trophy wins since 2018—including a Player of the Match performance at Wembley—while overcoming serious injury and now inspiring future stars through her coaching work with girls' rugby.

These trailblazing women not only exemplify excellence in their respective sports but also represent the rich sporting heritage of St Helens Borough. To be eligible for recognition, nominees must have been born or educated within the borough, play a sport with a National Governing Body recognised by Sport England, and have competed at an international level.

Councillor Sue Murphy MBE, Cabinet Member for Localities, Culture and Heritage, said:
"Recognising the remarkable achievements of women in sport from our borough is not only about honouring the past - it's about shaping the future. By raising the visibility of female role models in sport, we hope to inspire more women and girls in St Helens to believe in their potential and pursue their sporting ambitions.

"This excellent programme - proposed by Councillor Mussell and fully supported by the council - marks an important step in championing gender equality in sport and celebrates the invaluable contributions of local women who continue to break barriers and inspire others to get involved."

The scheme supports the St Helens Active Lives strategy by encouraging greater participation in sport and physical activity and boosting the number of female coaches, volunteers, and committee members in the local sports community.

A dedicated webpage has been created to showcase all recipients of the plaque, along with a nomination form for members of the public to suggest future honourees: https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/11314/Inspiring-Sporting-Women

Nominations for next year's awards are open and will close on 31st December 2025, with up to two new recipients announced on International Women's Day, 8th March 2026.