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 Laura Williamson 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.

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

Williamson 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 revealed 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 tomorrow, 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), Max Pachecho (Aston Villa), Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United), Hayley Nolan (Crystal Palace), Megan Finnigan (Everton), Poppy Pattinson (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Janice Cayman (Leicester City).