Four England Lionesses have been named amongst 2023 New Year’s Honours recipients.
2022 UEFA Women’s Euro and Golden Boot winner, Beth Mead headlines the four Lionesses who have been handed honours to cap a memorable year for the Hinderwell-born forward who broke various records – including most goals and assists for club and country in a single season.
Mead has been awarded a MBE alongside Lucy Bronze and Lionesses’ all-time top goalscorer, Ellen White who has since retired following England’s success on home soil, which saw the Lionesses become the first England senior team in 56 years to win a major tournament.
Speaking about her MBE honour and the fact that this is the first Honours list under King Charles III, Mead said: “I am thrilled to be on King Charles’ first New Year Honours list. It is such a privilege to be awarded an MBE and my family and I look forward to attending the Palace to receive it.”
Bronze meanwhile stated that she felt “honoured” to be awarded an MBE as she spoke about the significance of the honour: “It means such a lot and is significant for the growth of women’s football and women’s sport more widely. I can’t wait to continue the progress.”
Arsenal and Lionesses captain, Leah Williamson meanwhile has been awarded an OBE for her services to football on and off the pitch, which included leading the Lionesses in penning an open letter to the UK Government urging improved participation in schools.
Reflecting on her OBE, Williamson commented: “It was an honour to be a part of an incredible group of athletes and women and to share the successes of 2022 with them. Standing on the shoulders of those that came before us to inspire the millions that will follow.”
England Women manager, Sarina Wiegman meanwhile has been awarded an honourary CBE for her success, having guided the Lionesses to Arnold Clark Cup and Women’s Euro success amongst highlights, which also saw the team go unbeaten since September 2021 in all competitions.
This latest honour comes just over a week since Wiegman became the first woman to be crowned Coach of the Year at BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, whilst Mead took home the main award following her on-pitch success.
Reflecting on her honourary CBE, Wiegman spoke of feeling “very privileged and humbled” to receive the “prestigious honour” as she dedicated her award to the playing squad, her coaching team and England FA who have shared the success.
Wiegman also praised supporters for showing “warmth” since she arrived in Autumn 2021, since which the Lionesses has enjoyed plenty of highs – including a 20-0 thrashing of Latvia in World Cup Qualifying and a friendly victory over USA at Wembley Stadium.
The Dutch manager went on to state that she feels “very proud” to lead England and has vowed heading into 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to try and “continue to make the country proud.”
Wiegman also praised Williamson, Mead, White and Bronze for their recognition as she added: “I would also like to share my congratulations to Leah, Beth, Ellen and Lucy.
“Their recognition is a reflection of a brilliant 12 months for the whole squad and the excellent work they all do on and off of the pitch.”
Referee, Jawahir Roble has been handed a MBE for her services to football after she became the first Muslim referee in the UK, plus has been recognised for her charity work with Football Beyond Borders.
Brighton & Hove Albion Chief Executive, Paul Barber, and Director of Women in Football, Jo Tongue, have also received MBE for their services to football.
Teesside icon, Chris Kamara has been awarded an MBE for his services to football following his departure from Sky Sports, as well as for his anti-racism and charity work.
Taking to Twitter once the announcement was official, Kamara thanked fans for their support over the years.
The news is now out there & would you believe it 😳🤷🏽♂️ I have been awarded an MBE for services to Football ⚽️ Charity & Anti Racism work.The scruffy kid from the Boro would like to thank everyone for the support that you have all given me 👏🏼👏🏼 you really are Unbelievable 👏🏼👏🏼
— Chris Kamara (@chris_kammy) December 30, 2022
Elsewhere, Liverpool and Scotland’s Andrew Robertson plus Arsenal duo – Jen Beattie and Kim Little have received MBEs for their services to football and charity work, as has Northern Ireland’s Gail Redmond.
Northern Ireland legend, Pat Jennings has received an CBE, whilst Wales’ Sophie Ingle has been handed an OBE for their services to football.
Brentford’s Player Welfare Manager, Peter Gilham and Sevenoaks’ Derek Hodge have been awarded BEMs for their services to football and local communities.
At grassroots level, Hillwood FC chair, William Smith received an MBE whilst South Wales’ Albert Phillips and Bangor FC Vice-President, Peter Vannucci both received BEMs.
Lewis Handed Damehood
Across in other sport honours, Denise Lewis and John Crabtree were awarded a damehood and knighthood respectively, for their services to sport and involvement in 2022 Commonwealth Games as President of Commonwealth Games and Chair of Organising Committee respectively.
Commonwealth Games CEO of Organising Committee, Ian Reid meanwhile received a CBE for his services to sport, as did Exeter Chiefs’ Chair and Chief Executive, Tony Rowe for his services to Rugby Union.
Floyd Steadman and Michael Williams received OBEs for their services to Rugby Union and Rowing respectively.
Aside from the aforementioned MBE recipients, there were a further eight MBE honours dished out across other sports;
- Sandra Bailie – Services to Bowls
- Jade Clarke – Services to Netball
- Lizzie Deignan – Services to Cycling
- Robert Elstone – Services to sport
- Dave Ferguson – Services to Squash
- Charlotte Gilley – Services to Boxing
- Ashton Moore – Services to Athletics
- Johnny Nelson – Services to Boxing and Young People of South Yorkshire
Leave a Reply