Jess Fishlock and Chris Coleman inducted into Welsh Sports Hall of Fame
Wales' record-breaking women's footballer Jess Fishlock and manager Chris Coleman, who led the men's team to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, have joined the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame. Fishlock was honoured before retiring, an exception made only once before.
Jess Fishlock, the 39-year-old footballer with more appearances and goals than any other Wales international, and Chris Coleman, who managed the Wales men's team to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, have been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame at a gala event in Cardiff. The ceremony took place in the 150th anniversary year of the Football Association of Wales, so football was the focus.
Fishlock won 166 caps and scored 48 goals for Wales. She retired from international duty last year after playing at her first major finals, Euro 2025. At club level she plays for Seattle Reign in the United States and is due to end her 25-year career at the end of the season. She has two regular-season games left and up to three NWSL play-off matches. The NWSL is the US professional women's league.
The Hall of Fame normally honours people only after retirement. It broke its own rules for Fishlock, and boxer Joe Calzaghe is the only other athlete given the same dispensation. Others collected the award for her, but she sent a video message calling the honour "huge". She said reaching Euro 2025 was the best achievement of her career. Laura McAllister, a former Wales international and current Uefa Vice-President, who presented the award, called her Wales' best ever footballer.
Other inductees
Coleman was appointed Wales manager in 2012 after the death of Gary Speed. Under him the men's team climbed from 117th to eighth in the Fifa rankings and qualified for their first major tournament in 58 years.
Also inducted were former Swansea City forward Alan Curtis and Brian Flynn, along with three late members of the 1976 Wales side that reached the European Championship quarter-finals: goalkeeper Dai Davies, winger Leighton James and full-back Joey Jones. Mickey Thomas collected Jones' award. Nia Jones, who represented Wales in netball and football, was inducted too, as was the late referee Mervyn 'Sandy' Griffiths.
The charity also announced plans to house its collection of sports memorabilia at Newport's Celtic Manor Resort.
