THE Northern Ireland Football League has announced the inaugural NIFL Women’s Football Awards, a landmark celebration dedicated to honouring outstanding achievements in Women’s football.
This prestigious event will provide a modern platform to recognise excellence both on and off the pitch. It will shine a spotlight on the most impressive individual and team performances, while also celebrating the vital contributions Women’s clubs make to their communities and to the wider football landscape in Northern Ireland.
The black-tie evening of awards and entertainment will take place on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast and will be hosted by BBC Sport NI’s Nicola McCarthy.
Gerard Lawlor, NIFL Chief Executive, said: “Women’s football is an essential and growing part of our league, and it deserves a stage that reflects the incredible talent, commitment and progress we see every season. These new awards are about giving that recognition the platform it truly deserves.
“These awards are not just about what happens on the pitch, they are about highlighting the people, passion and community spirit that power our Women’s clubs every single week.”
The awards will include categories such as Player of the Year, Manager of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Goal of the Season.
Additional honours will include the Women’s Football Champion of the Year, which recognises outstanding contributions behind the scenes. NIFL will also show its recognition to an individual who has made a remarkable contribution to Women’s football in Northern Ireland.
The awards are proudly supported by a range of sponsors, with Sports Direct, Rockshore, TicketCo, Uhlsport, Linwoods, and Bondi Pilates each sponsoring specific categories.
As interest and investment in the women’s game continues to rise, the NIFL Women’s Football Awards will serve as a major milestone in recognising the progress and celebrating the people driving it forward.
