Reggae Girl Shania Hayles Claims Top Goalscorer Honour at Newcastle United Women Awards
Jamaican international Shania Hayles capped off a standout season with Newcastle United Women by claiming the Top Goalscorer award during the club’s end-of-season ceremony on Tuesday.
Hayles, who joined the Magpies last summer, enjoyed her most prolific campaign to date, netting 15 goals across the season. Her scoring exploits played a key role in helping Becky Langley’s side secure a fifth-place finish in the FA Women’s Championship, highlighted by a 5-1 rout over Blackburn Rovers Women on the final day of the season.
The 25-year-old striker’s performances were a consistent bright spark for Newcastle throughout the campaign. She delivered two scintillating hat-tricks and etched her name into local derby folklore with the winning goal in the historic Tyne-Wear clash at St. James’ Park.
Although she narrowly missed out on the league’s Golden Boot by a single goal, Hayles’ impact did not go unnoticed, earning her recognition as the team’s most potent attacking threat.
Tuesday night’s awards ceremony also honoured her teammates for their contributions this season. Beth Lumsden was named Players’ Player of the Season following a campaign in which she contributed seven goals and nine goal involvements, including a memorable brace against Sunderland. Deanna Cooper, a standout in her debut year at the club, earned the Fans’ Player of the Season award thanks to her dependable performances and dramatic equaliser against Southampton at St. James’ Park.
The club also celebrated its under-21s team, with several rising stars receiving accolades, including Ella Baker, who took home both the Top Goalscorer and Manager’s Player of the Season awards.
But the night firmly belonged to Hayles, whose blend of pace, power, and clinical finishing has made her a fan favourite in Newcastle and a growing presence in the Jamaica national setup. With the Reggae Girl now firmly in her stride, both club and country will be hoping her red-hot form continues into the next season.
