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Players from 12 WSL groups participate in star-studded photoshoot

  • The WSL gets underway on Friday night as champions Chelsea play Aston Villa
  • Players from each side joined together for a star-studded photoshoot 
  • LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! , available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday 

Players from each of the 12 Women’s Super League teams gathered for a star-studded photoshoot ahead of the new season. 

The new season gets underway on Friday night as defending champions Chelsea play Aston Villa.  

Alex Greenwood, Leah Williamson and Lauren James were among those to join forces as part of Sky Sports Editions Series – celebrating women who are breaking barriers and inspiring fans to participate and follow their sport.  

Sky Sports have revealed that research has shown that 88 per cent agree that watching female athletes on TV inspires young women to participate in sports.  

Man City star Alex Greenwood  said: ‘The WSL is an amazing league and to have each club represented at this shoot with Sky was great to see.  

One player from each WSL team gathered for a star studded photoshoot ahead of the season

One player from each WSL team gathered for a star studded photoshoot ahead of the season

Alex Greenwood said the players might be on different teams but they are all in it together to 'keep inspiring the fans and push the women's game forward'

Alex Greenwood said the players might be on different teams but they are all in it together to ‘keep inspiring the fans and push the women’s game forward’ 

Lauren James represented the defending champions Chelsea who kick off the new season against Aston Villa on Friday night
Leah Williamson's Arsenal start the season against Man City

Lauren James (left) represented Chelsea who kick off the new season against Aston Villa on Friday night while Leah Williamson’s (right) Arsenal face Manchester City tomorrow

Taylor Hinds represented Liverpool
While Maya Le Tissier represented Manchester United

Liverpool’s Taylor Hinds (left) and Man United’s Maya Le Tissier (right) were also in the photoshoot

‘Whilst we are on different teams, we are in it together to keep inspiring the fans and pushing the women’s game forwards.’ 

Greenwood will be determined to help Man City to title glory this campaign, after they only missed out on it last season on goal difference to Chelsea. 

However, there is a new era at Chelsea who will start life under new manager Sonia Bompaster – following the departure of Emma Hayes – the most successful women’s coach in the WSL’s history. 

Research revealed by Sky from a survey of 2,000 adults also highlighted that nearly 70 per cent see professional athletes as the most influential role models in sport for young women. 

The first game to be covered on Sky Sports will be the blockbuster clash between Arsenal and Manchester City which kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday, with coverage starting an hour earlier on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Showcase. 

Other players who came on set for the launch photoshoot included Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Taylor Hinds (Liverpool), Jessica Naz (Tottenham), Maz Pacheco (Aston Villa), Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Megan Finnigan (Everton), Poppy Pattinson (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Janice Cayman (Leicester City).