Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood and Lauren James join forces as players from each of the 12 WSL teams take part in star-studded photoshoot ahead of Friday’s season opener

Players from each of the 12 Women’s Super League teams gathered for a star-studded photoshoot ahead of the new season. 

The new season gets underway on Friday night as defending champions Chelsea play Aston Villa.  

Alex Greenwood, Leah Williamson and Lauren James were among those to join forces as part of Sky Sports Editions Series – celebrating women who are breaking barriers and inspiring fans to participate and follow their sport.  

Sky Sports have revealed that research has shown that 88 per cent agree that watching female athletes on TV inspires young women to participate in sports.  

Man City star Alex Greenwood  said: ‘The WSL is an amazing league and to have each club represented at this shoot with Sky was great to see.  

Alex Greenwood said the players might be on different teams but they are all in it together to ‘keep inspiring the fans and push the women’s game forward’ 

Lauren James (left) represented Chelsea who kick off the new season against Aston Villa on Friday night while Leah Williamson’s (right) Arsenal face Manchester City tomorrow

Liverpool’s Taylor Hinds (left) and Man United’s Maya Le Tissier (right) were also in the photoshoot

‘Whilst we are on different teams, we are in it together to keep inspiring the fans and pushing the women’s game forwards.’ 

Greenwood will be determined to help Man City to title glory this campaign, after they only missed out on it last season on goal difference to Chelsea. 

However, there is a new era at Chelsea who will start life under new manager Sonia Bompaster – following the departure of Emma Hayes – the most successful women’s coach in the WSL’s history. 

Research revealed by Sky from a survey of 2,000 adults also highlighted that nearly 70 per cent see professional athletes as the most influential role models in sport for young women. 

The first game to be covered on Sky Sports will be the blockbuster clash between Arsenal and Manchester City which kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday, with coverage starting an hour earlier on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Showcase. 

Other players who came on set for the launch photoshoot included Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Taylor Hinds (Liverpool), Jessica Naz (Tottenham), Maz Pacheco (Aston Villa), Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Megan Finnigan (Everton), Poppy Pattinson (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Janice Cayman (Leicester City).