INDUCTED INTO THE FIRST EVER BRITISH HALL OF FAME – 17 March 2024
Established to celebrate and acknowledge individuals from various eras from both the Men’s and Women’s Leagues who have notably influenced the sport in the UK, ten individuals including our very own Helen Naylor were inducted into the British Hall of Fame at the All Star game on Sunday.
Years active in the League: Sheffield Hatters (2015-20, 2021-23), Manchester Giants (2020-21)
Scoring an impressive 30 points, Naylor clinched the inaugural Playoff Final MVP title, marking a monumental moment in the League’s history. Her impact resonated from the League’s inception to her retirement from the professional game at the close of the 2022/23 season. Though, not quite full retirement as she continues to keep up with the game playing in the Hatters Division 2 team.
Having been part of the Hatters since her adolescence, predating the current structure of the Women’s League, Naylor established herself as a prolific scorer. She currently sits second only to Cat Carr in all-time Championship points, with a notable victory over Carr in the 2019 Cup Final, where Naylor sealed Sheffield’s triumph over Sevenoaks with a game-winning goal.
With a total of six major honors to her name, encompassing all five competitions during her tenure, Naylor exemplified an all-action forward with remarkable durability. Her illustrious career saw her rank within the top 20 in an impressive 10 statistical categories upon retirement.