The Official Top 10 Female Footballers To Hire for Events in 2024

Post date

Jan 4th 2024

Take a look at the official top 10 female footballers available to hire for events in 2024!

Football has been incredibly popular for many years, but women’s football is only just starting to gain approval within the industry. The successful women within this industry have worked unbelievably hard to get to where they are today and have fought many stereotypes during their careers. After facing inequality for many years throughout a highly male-dominated industry, it is admirable to see these ladies showcase their talents to a larger audience.

The popularity of women's football has boomed in recent years, with the Lionesses having brought home the victory when they won the 2022 UEFA Women's Euro. They also made history in 2023, when they reached the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup, led to victory in their semi-final by Captain Millie Bright and illustrious coach Sarina Wiegman.

Take a look at our Top 10 Female Footballers to Hire for your Events to gain the chance to learn more about the careers they have built for themselves.

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Anita Asante

Anita Asante is an inspiration throughout the football industry and has dedicated her career to promoting gender, racial and LGBT+ equality. After starting her professional career in 2003 playing for Arsenal, Anita was selected to be part of the England national team and appeared 75 times for the club. Her passion for equality within football has defined her career as she became the Ambassador for Show Racism the Red Card and Amnesty International UK. Since retiring from football, Anita has become an admired sports pundit, gaining opportunities at BBC and Sky Sports to represent the female community within football.

When booked as a speaker, Anita Asante shares her experiences from her incredible career within the football industry. She has been able to educate many sports fans across the UK and with her speaking engagements and she is now looking to reach a larger audience and focus on raising awareness for discrimination and equality.

Testimonial:

"Anita was great - warm, authentic, personable, humble, engaging. She got the tone spot on and managed to answer some quite challenging questions at the end. I hope she didn't find the session too daunting. We loved having her and the feedback was very positive" - Victoria, Motorway Online Ltd

Kelly Smith MBE

Kelly Smith MBE is best known for being England’s greatest female footballer, having earned 177 caps and 46 goals throughout her international career. After moving to the United States to develop her skills, Kelly began playing for Arsenal Ladies in 2005. Due to her incredible sporting ability, she scored 100 goals throughout her time at the club and was awarded FA Women’s Player of the Year in both 2006 and 2007. Her natural talent was recognised in 2008 and she was awarded an MBE for her services to football and gained a place as a member of the London 2012 Olympic Games GB football squad.

With an admirable sporting career to her name, Kelly Smith MBE has attended several speaking events since she retired from playing. She has become highly sought-after as an after-dinner and events host due to her expert knowledge on topics such as performance, mental resilience, teamwork and performing under pressure.

Testimonial:

"Kelly Smith was incredible - she really held people's attention and her story was very compelling, plus she engaged well with everyone on the day, really getting stuck in and interacting." - Catherine, Salvation Army

Hope Powell

Hope Powell is a former professional footballer who became the manager of the England Women’s Team after her retirement. Powel began her football career at the Millwall Lionesses. After winning the FA Cup and the Greater London League, many opportunities arose for Hope and she quickly progressed through the league system. Aside from her senior teams, Hope was a key part of the England Women’s national team and accumulated 66 caps and scored 35 goals. After retiring herself, she became the Head Coach of the England Women’s team and was the first female to achieve a UEFA Pro Licence.

When booked for speaking events, Hope Powell discusses the challenges she has faced throughout her career in terms of racism and gender equality. She is looking to educate the football industry about women entering a male-dominated sport and how they can be equally as successful as men in football.

Testimonial:

"We can say with confidence that Hope delivered a very positive and passionate message and had the audience captivated, we wanted even more! The Q&A bar was very well utilised by the audience as far as Scotland locally and internationally - we held a healthy session with her. She was inspiring and encouraging and many asked when we will host another event!" - Sam, Bedfordshire Police

Ellen White

Ellen White is a renowned professional English Footballer who has become a key part of both the Manchester City and England teams. After being scouted by the Arsenal team, she worked up the youth ranks and signed for her first two professional teams, Chelsea and Leeds United. After developing her skills, Ellen returned to Arsenal and went on to win three league titles and two FA Cups. Aside from her senior career, Ellen spent over 10 years playing for the England national team and has become England Women's top goal scorer in 2022 after being a key part of the victorious England team in the UEFA Women’s Euros.

At events, Ellen White focuses on sharing her knowledge and experiences of working within a highly competitive industry. As a popular events host, Ellen shares her opinions on topics such as performing under pressure, resilience and maximising success.

Francesca Kirby

Francesca Kirby is a talented professional English Footballer who is currently part of the Chelsea Women’s team and the England national team. Fran began her career playing for Readings youth team and shortly after became the first female player to receive a professional contract from the club. Clearly talented, she progressed through her career and secured her place in the Chelsea’s senior team in 2016. Having been part of the England Under-23 squad, Fran became the first WSL 2 player to be called up to the senior team and throughout her 8 years at the club, she has been a key part of the team and has most recently been part of the winning team at the 2022 Women’s Euros.

As Chelsea’s all-time top female goal scorer, Francesca Kirby is greatly admired for her success within the sporting industry. She has become a highly sought-after speaker for many different events as audiences are keen to hear about her knowledge and experiences gained throughout her football career to date.

Jill Scott MBE

Jill Scott MBE is an English Midfielder who is currently playing for both Manchester City and the English national team. Her professional career began at Sunderland Ladies at the age of 18 and a year later was awarded the Women’s Player of the Month award. Jill continued to grow a successful career at many different senior clubs and was also creating a respected international career at the same time. As a key member of the England squad, Jill Scott has been chosen to be part of multiple key teams, including the 2012 Olympic team and the 2022 UEFA Euros team. In 2020, Jill was awarded an MBE to recognise her services to women’s football throughout her career.

When booked as a football speaker, Jill Scott MBE has become greatly sought-after as one of the Lionesses' most experienced players. After the team became victorious in the 2022 Women’s Euros, Jill has gained great amounts of respect due to her performance and dedication towards her career.

Testimonial:

“She has played a hugely influential part in our women’s team’s various successes during that time, but has also endeared herself to everybody at the club as well – she is one of football's finest characters and we’re incredibly proud to have had her represent us for such a length of time.'' - Manchester City

Steph Houghton MBE

Steph Houghton MBE is a highly respected English Footballer and has developed an incredibly successful career within the sports industry. Since starting in the U19 team, Steph has progressed through the England squads and made her official debut in the senior team in 2007. She was given the opportunity to be team captain in 2014 and led the team to their first World Cup semi-finals a year later. Aside from her international team, she has been part of many respected teams, including Sunderland, Leeds United and her current team, Manchester City. She was awarded the Young Player of the Year award in her 2006 season and was recognised further in her career for her services to football, appointed MBE on the 2016 New Year’s Honours list.

When booked as an events speaker, Steph Houghton MBE is aiming to share her drive and determination for football with the crowd. She is looking to educate people on women’s football and the importance of equality within the industry.

Rachel Yankey OBE

Rachel Yankey OBE is a former English footballer who has developed a successful career and has now begun coaching teams using her knowledge and experience within the sport. Having made her senior debut at Arsenal in 1996, Rachel made 47 appearances and scored 8 goals in her first signing. She decided to sign for New Jersey Wildcats on loan in America but re-joined Arsenal shortly, scoring 43 goals in 151 appearances. After retiring from playing in 2016, Rachel focused on building a coaching career and was named as the first-team coach of the London Bees in 2018.

As a highly sought-after speaker, Rachel Yankey OBE is known to engage an audience on topics such as peak performance, teamwork and leadership. The knowledge she has gained throughout her career can be greatly valuable and speaking at events allows her to share it with not only her own teams but a much larger audience.

Casey Stoney MBE

Casey Stoney MBE is an English Footballer who is best known for captaining both England and Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics. Playing professionally for 20 years, Casey has dedicated most of her career to Arsenal and has been part of the winning team in the FA Premier League Cup twice and the Women’s FA Cup three times. As a talented sportswoman, Casey has gained 130 caps for England over 17 years and was awarded the captaincy for Team GB at the London Olympics. Awarded an MBE for her services to football, Casey has been greatly recognised throughout her career, not only for her talent but for being an inspiration to the LGBT+ community.

One of the most prominent women footballers, Casey Stoney MBE has built an incredible career for herself having played professionally for 20 years. As an openly gay woman in sport, Casey is trying to educate people about the importance of equality in the sporting industry and has been named on the Independents Pink List of influential lesbian and gay people in the UK, making her highly sought-after as an LGBT speaker.

Testimonial:

“Casey was absolutely brilliant. We were so delighted with her so thank you for all your help getting everything booked in she really was fantastic and the event went so well.” - Susan, Aiken PR

Leah Williamson

Leah Williamson is a professional footballer, who stands as the current Captain for the Lionesses and a key member of the Arsenal WFC. Joining Arsenals Centre of Excellence in 2006, Leah worked her way up through the age groups and made her debut in the senior team at the 2014 UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarterfinals. Committed to football, Leah joined the England team in 2011 and has been able to showcase her talent to an international audience. After her memorable performance in the UEFA Under-19 Championships, she became the Captain of the England Lionesses and led them to victory in the 2022 Women’s Euros.

When booked for events, Leah Williamson shares her journey to becoming a valued player and her admiral performance in the Women's Euros. When looking for a speaker who has vast amounts of knowledge and experiences to share with an audience, look no further than Leah Williamson.

Testimonial:

“Leah is certainly one to watch” – The Independent

Get In Touch To Book a Football Speaker Today!

If you are looking to book a leading female football speaker, don’t hesitate to contact one of our dedicated booking agents on 0207 1010 553 or by completing our online contact form.

We are also fortunate to work with many of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup England players, such as Mary Earps, Georgia Stanway, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright, Rachel Daly and Keira Walsh. Contact us today to secure a Lioness for your next event!