Arabic version: فيشلوك وكولمان ينضمان إلى قاعة مشاهير الرياضة الويلزية
According to BBC News, Wales record-breaker Jess Fishlock has been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame as she prepares to retire from club football at the end of the season. Chris Coleman, who led Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, was also honoured at a gala event in Cardiff.
Fishlock, 39, retired from international football last year after winning 166 caps and scoring 48 goals, both Welsh records. Her final Wales appearance came after the country’s first major-finals appearance at Euro 2025. She has two regular-season Seattle Reign games and potentially up to three NWSL play-off matches remaining in her 25-year club career.
Former Wales international and Uefa vice-president Laura McAllister described Fishlock as the country’s “best ever footballer” while presenting the award. The Hall of Fame made an exception to its usual rule of only inducting retired sportspeople; undefeated boxer Joe Calzaghe is the only other athlete to receive the same dispensation. Fishlock collected the honour by video message, calling it “huge”.
She said qualifying for Euro 2025 was the greatest achievement of her career and is set to join Rhian Wilkinson’s coaching staff for Wales’ play-offs with Norway next month. Wales are seeking to reach a first women’s World Cup.
Other inductees included former Swansea City forward Alan Curtis, ex-Burnley winger and Wales Under-21 manager Brian Flynn, and dual Wales international Nia Jones. The late Dai Davies, Leighton James and Joey Jones were recognised as members of the 1976 Wales side that reached the European Championship last eight. Referee Mervyn “Sandy” Griffiths also received a posthumous induction. The charity announced plans for a permanent memorabilia collection at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort.
