Page 5 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.32 2022-23

Chloe Kelly has been named Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month for April.
The 25-year-old secures the award for the first time this season after a hugely impressive
month in front of goal which saw her score three times and provide three assists as Gareth
Taylor’s side recorded back-to-back home wins against West Ham United and Reading FC
Women.
The England international’s success in this category marks the second time in as many
months that a Manchester City player has scooped the accolade, with her fellow forward Bunny
Shaw having topped the voting charts in March.
Kelly saw off competition from Manchester United’s Hannah Blundell, Aston Villa’s Rachel
Daly, Tottenham Hotspur’s Beth England, Leicester City’s Courtney Nevin and Brighton & Hove
Albion’s Elisabeth Terland.
Speaking about her success, she said: “It feels amazing to win this award, and it was a great
month for us. It was really nice to get some goals and assists, and to help the team as much as I
can.
“I’m feeling really good at the moment but it’s the team’s performances that allow me to pick
up awards like this.
“It’s been great both on and off the pitch with the girls, and I’m just learning as much as I
can – I’m in good form, but I will always aim to keep improving. We have a great team of players
and staff here, and it’s so enjoyable coming in every day.
“Hopefully we can finish on a high this season in the last two games and give as much as we
can back to our amazing fans.”
There has been further good news for Manchester City in that striker Bunny Shaw has been
named as Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year for 2022.
The Jamaican has seen off competition from Alex Morgan, Jessie Fleming, Melchie
Dumornay, Sophia Smith and Alicia Cervantes to lift the trophy, with her coming out on top after
the voting concluded last month.
An accolade which celebrates the best of the game in both men’s and women’s football in the
North American region, Shaw was previously pipped to the post in this category in 2018 when
finishing as runner-up to USA striker Morgan.
After a scintillating year for club and country however, the 26-year-old has another piece of
silverware to add to her collection after winning various Player of the Month trophies in recent
months.
She has broken the record for the most goals in a single season by a women’s player at the
Club – with her current tally standing at 29 strikes in 27 appearances in all competitions so far
throughout the 2022-23 campaign.
On the international front meanwhile, the striker was instrumental in the Reggae Girlz’
qualification for a second successive World Cup, helping guide Jamaica to a third placed finish at
the Concacaf Women’s Championship.
Speaking about the award, Shaw said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to be named as Concacaf
Women’s Player of the Year, but I couldn’t have done it without my team mates as they’ve played
a massive part in this.
“It’s going to go somewhere special so that whenever I wake up, I can look at it straight away!
“The message I have to anybody who has a dream like I did is to keep believing and enjoy
the process and journey.
“The journey is ultimately what is going to get you to your destination, so just work hard
every day knowing where you want to get to, and no matter what obstacles come your way, you
need to keep believing in yourself and doing your best.
“Keep pushing, enjoy the journey and the moment, because there is something great that
will come of your hard work in the end.”
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk