BBC Sports presenter Alex Scott MBE was named Broadcaster of the Year at the second annual Women’s Football Awards, last night, following her stellar TV career and her prowess as professional football player for Arsenal and the England’s Lionesses. Picking up the prestigious award, PS UK was there to watch Scott use the spotlight to deliver an inspirational speech, reminding male allies to support women in sports during the highs and the lows. She told the audience: “As you all know, we’re entering a huge summer of sport and so many women are going to be under intense scrutiny.
“This is where we need our male allies. Not just to celebrate us in the good moments, but we need you to stand up and support us in the hard moments also.” Scott concluded her speech on a poignant note, saying: “Sport is a better place with women in it.”
The former England star is a familiar face in sports media these days, fronting big events like BBC Sports Personality of the Year, the Olympics coverage, and the World Cup for both men and women.
Her bestselling memoir, How (Not) to Be Strong, details her momental impact on football, breaking down barriers as the first female pundit on Match of the Day and making a bold statement by wearing the OneLove armband during the Men’s World Cup in Qatar, where it’s illegal to be gay.
Scott has tirelessly and admirably used her platform to advocate for domestic abuse, LGBTQ+ rights and racism in sport, so her recognition at the Women’s Football Awards is fitting.
Alex scott a women who has just come out and now is in a country where she she can be killed or imprisoned for being part of the community is wearing the one love armband, brave and powerful stuff from her pic.twitter.com/1f2RYvtpDg
— A🦋 (@littlelacasse) November 21, 2022
The entire evening was filled with inspirational women in sports and was led by Chelsea and England legend Eni Aluko and Sky Sports presenter Jamie Carragher. Manchester City star Steph Houghton was awarded with the Inspirational Role Model Award after announcing her retirement from football earlier this year, and England manager Sarina Wiegman took home the Coach of the Year award via video link, as she and Lionesses were unable to attend the event because they’re preparing for a Euro 2025 qualifier in Newcastle.
Former Lioness, Jill Scott, who was also unable to attend, previously spoke to PS UK’s Aaliyah Harry at the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, sharing her pride in women finally getting the recognition they deserve in football. She told us: “It’s just so great to see that the women’s game is finally getting recognised as it should’ve been for years.”
Ending the awards ceremony on a high, Kerry Davis, who was the first black woman to represent England, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to her by Olympic champion, Denise Lewis.
The Women’s Football Awards were sponsored by female-led supplement brand Nutriburst.
Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at PS UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.
