St Helens honours more pioneering female athletes on International Women's Day

Article date: 12 March 2026

Created following a motion proposed by Councillor Linda Mussell and formally adopted by council, the scheme aims to raise the profile of remarkable local women in sport and inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps. It recognises female athletes born or educated in the borough who compete in sports governed by bodies recognised by Sport England, and who have represented their country at international level, including at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

Two more of St Helens' most decorated sporting figures - Ann Griffiths (née Williams) and Sue Crehan - have been honoured recently with plaques unveiled at Sutton Leisure Centre, marking a significant moment in celebrating the borough's rich athletics heritage.

A trailblazing middle-distance runner from St Helens, Ann Griffiths was one of Britain's most formidable competitors on the track. She became the sixth British woman to break the two-minute barrier in the 800m - a defining benchmark in women's athletics - and secured a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 1990. Over a decade-long elite career, she represented Great Britain at every major international championship, including the 1992 Summer Olympic Games, inspiring generations of young athletes who followed in her footsteps.

Susan Crehan, a long-distance runner from Parr, carved out an extraordinary career on the road and track. She became a double British champion, competed in the 1988 Olympic marathon, and set a Merseyside 10K record that stood for 36 years, cementing her status as one of the region's most enduring and influential athletes.

And marking International Women's Day (8 March), two new recipients were just announced.

Born in Sutton, Alice Woods went on to play for the famous Dick Kerr Ladies. She travelled to France with the team in 1920 and also played in the Boxing Day match at Goodison Park in 1920. She was also a sprinter and one of the first women to race under Amateur Athletic Association of England (AAA) laws. 

And Janet Mayer, who played left-wing for St Helens Women's Football Club between 1976-83 and made her England international debut in 1979.

Already plaques have been unveiled honouring other notable sportswomen from across the borough - including St Helens and England rugby league player Zoe Harris, and historic women's footballers Lilly Parr and Lizzie Ashcroft - as part of the council's ongoing commitment to championing gender equality in sport.

Councillor Sue Murphy MBE, Cabinet Member for Localities, Culture and Heritage, said:

"Recognising the remarkable achievements of women in sport from our borough is about honouring the past and shaping the future. By raising the visibility of female role models in sport, we hope to inspire more women and girls in St Helens Borough to believe in their potential and pursue their sporting ambitions. This excellent programme marks an important step in celebrating the invaluable contributions of local women who continue to break barriers."

The scheme forms part of the St Helens Active Lives strategy, encouraging participation in physical activity and increasing the number of female coaches, volunteers, and leaders in sport across the borough.

A dedicated webpage showcases all plaque recipients and includes a public nomination form for future honourees:
www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/11314/Inspiring-Sporting-Women