SP Energy Networks and Wrexham AFC score award shortlist

SP Energy Networks is celebrating today after its partnership with the Wrexham AFC Community Team was shortlisted for a prestigious UK Women’s Football Award, recognising the impact both organisations are making to create inclusive opportunities for women and girls across the region.

Now in its fourth year, the awards celebrate the people, brands and organisations contributing to the phenomenal growth of the women’s game. The shortlist for this year awards was announced on behalf of organisers by global football icon David Beckham.

The nomination for the ‘Best Grassroots Initiative’ highlights the success of SP Energy Networks’ ongoing community partnership with Wrexham AFC, which sees both organisations work closely together to help break down barriers that prevent participation, foster confidence in young players, and inspire future careers in areas such as engineering and STEM.

It includes Female Football Development and Young Leaders Programmes designed to tackle the confidence and societal barriers that prevent women and girls from taking part in football.

SP Energy Networks, part of the ScottishPower group, also supports a wide range of grassroots activity in Wrexham — from sponsoring girls’ and boys’ Centre of Excellence teams to delivering innovative initiatives including a ‘Festival of Football’, which brought together 80 Year 3 girls for a day of skills sessions, coaching and STEM‑based learning.

And it works closely with the Wrexham AFC Community Trust to promote wider community participation, inclusion and football‑for‑all programmes, including support for the club’s powerchair and para teams.

Liam O’Sullivan, SP Manweb licence director said:

“We’re incredibly proud that our partnership with the Wrexham AFC community team has been shortlisted for a UK Women’s Football Award. Supporting women and girls to access football, build confidence and explore new opportunities — both on and off the pitch — is at the heart of our work in Wrexham. This recognition is a testament to the brilliant young people, coaches and our community partners who make these programmes thrive.”

SPEN employee Erin Lovett, who also plays at Wrexham, added:

“I’m absolutely delighted that SP Energy Networks and Wrexham A.F.C. have been shortlisted for the Women’s Football Awards! I’ve played at Wrexham for six years and have seen first-hand how much this partnership means for grassroots women’s football and for girls like me coming through the game.

“Football has given me confidence, leadership skills, friendships for life and a whole new network of opportunities. With guidance from family and recognising SP Energy Networks’ strong partnership with Wrexham, it introduced me to the career prospects they offer and inspired me to take the apprenticeship route. Now I’m in my first year and loving it.”

She added: “SP Energy Networks have been so supportive of both my career and my passion for football. It’s exciting to be part of a company that genuinely invests in young people and in growing the women’s game. I can already see a brilliant future ahead, both on and off the pitch.”

The award nomination reflects ScottishPower’s ever expanding impact on women’s football.

In Scotland, the company is the Principal Partner of both Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), supporting youth competitions, senior clubs and development pathways across the country.

Just last week it launched the third season of the ScottishPower Highlands & Islands league for female teams across the north of Scotland, a key part of its landmark sponsorship deal that continues to energise women’s football at every age and stage across the country.

ScottishPower’s parent company Iberdrola are renowned supporters of women’s sport internationally and have also been shortlisted for an award, in the ‘Global Impact’ category.

The winners will be announced at the awards event in London this May.