St Helens honours pioneering female athletes with new plaque unveilings across the borough
St Helens Borough Council has continued its celebration of the borough's most inspirational sportswomen with a series of plaque unveilings recognising trailblazing athletes who have excelled on the national and international stage.
Article date: 26 February 2026
The Inspiring Sporting Women plaque scheme — created following a motion proposed by Councillor Linda Mussell and formally adopted by council — aims to raise the profile of remarkable local women in sport and inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps.
The scheme recognises female athletes born or educated in the borough who play a sport whose national governing body is recognised by Sport England, and who have represented their country at international level, including at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
This week two more of St Helens' most iconic sporting pioneers, Lilly Parr and Lizzie Ashcroft, were honoured with plaques unveiled at Queen's Park Health and Fitness Centre.
- Lilly Parr, 1905-1978 - The trailblazing forward from St Helens scored nearly 1,000 goals during a groundbreaking football career that challenged gender norms, attracted record-breaking crowds, and earned her place as the first woman inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
- Lizzie Ashcroft, 1905-1973 - A commanding defender and captain of the famous Dick, Kerr Ladies, Ashcroft forged a remarkable 13-year career after debuting aged just 16. A teammate and contemporary of Parr, she helped lead the team through international tours, breaking barriers at a time when women's football faced institutional resistance.
The unveiling at Queen's Park marks a significant moment in celebrating the borough's rich women's football heritage and commemorating two figures who played a pivotal role in shaping the modern game. Their plaques rest alongside the blue heritage plaque for St Helens Ladies FC, where both Lily and Lizzie played). The pitches at Queens Park are where the team's last known match took place in 1923.
In November, the council was also delighted to present a plaque to Zoe Harris, standout playmaker for St Helens Women and England RL Women. The presentation took place at Portico Vine ARLFC, a club deeply meaningful to Zoe and her family.
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 championing gender equality in sport and celebrating the invaluable contributions of local women who continue to break barriers."
The scheme contributes to the St Helens Active Lives strategy by encouraging participation in physical activity and increasing the number of female coaches, volunteers, and leaders in local sport.
A dedicated webpage showcases all plaque recipients and includes a public nomination form for future honourees:
https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/11314/Inspiring-Sporting-Women
Nominations for the 2026 awards closed in December and will be announced on International Women's Day, 8 March 2026.