Aya Al-Hussaini

Everyone who knows Aya knows that she lives and breathes women’s football. Her passion is infectious, and she has already inspired so many of our friends to appreciate the game more. Before meeting Aya, I enjoyed football and followed the Lionesses’ iconic Euros win, but she encouraged me to engage with the women’s game a lot more.

Aya doesn’t just love women’s football—she champions it. She has dedicated herself to growing the game through various media platforms, ensuring that more people see and appreciate the sport. She launched a podcast centred on the Women’s Super League, providing insightful discussions on the league’s happenings each week. She has also built a rapidly growing TikTok page, where she creates engaging content to promote and celebrate women’s football. But her impact isn’t just limited to online spaces—she constantly encourages friends to attend matches, making fans out of those who might never have considered going before. Many of us, myself included, have been introduced to the excitement of live women’s football because of Aya, and we are now hooked, with many more matches we are already planning to attend this season.

Aya’s dedication to advocacy extends beyond football. Last summer, she worked with Copa90 to promote the representation of Muslim women in the sport. She is deeply passionate about inclusivity, not just in women’s football but also in ensuring that underrepresented communities feel seen and valued. This is one of the reasons why Chelsea means so much to her. She has spoken to me about how the club represents different kinds of people in women’s football, making her feel seen in a way that few clubs do. Now, she hopes to use her own platform to create that same feeling for others.

Despite her impressive contributions to women’s football media, Aya has yet to have the opportunity to work with Chelsea—the club she loves so dearly—and this would be the perfect opportunity for her to bring her expertise, passion, and media skills to the club that has shaped so much of her footballing journey. With her unmatched enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the game, and commitment to inclusivity, she is the ideal candidate for the 'Media Mastermind' recognition.

She doesn’t just watch or talk about women’s football, she actively works to grow and improve it. Given a larger platform, there is no doubt that she would inspire countless more people to embrace and celebrate the beautiful game!