and canoeing
King’s Birthday Honours List for Sport
The King’s Birthday Honours list for sport has been released, with a number of influential women and men being recognised for their services to sport. Former England rugby union captain Sarah Hunter and ex-footballer Ian Wright are among those named in the list, with Hunter receiving a CBE and Wright becoming an OBE.
Damehood
Elizabeth Mary Nicholl, president of World Netball, has been made a Dame for her services to sport. Nicholl said of the honour: “I feel incredibly privileged to have now been awarded the honour of becoming a Dame.”
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
John Greig, former footballer, has been made a CBE for his services to football and to the community in Scotland. Sarah Alice Hunter, former England rugby union captain, has also been given a CBE for her services to rugby union.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Anthony Keith Atherton has been given an OBE for his services to disability sport and to inclusion. Pippa Britton, vice-chair of UK Anti-Doping and vice-chair of Sport Wales, has been given an OBE for her services to sport. David Philip Clarke, chief executive of the British Paralympic Association, has been made an OBE for his services to Paralympic sport. Jonathan Michael Dutton, chief executive of the Rugby League World Cup, has been made an OBE for his services to rugby. Lydia Greenway, founder of Cricket for Girls and former cricket player, has been made an OBE for her services to cricket. David Roger Griffiths has been given an OBE for his services to football in Wales. Thomas Edward Halliwell, England wheelchair rugby league captain, has been made an OBE for his services to wheelchair rugby league. Alfie Thomas Hewett, wheelchair tennis player, has been made an OBE for his services to tennis. Christopher John Jenkins, chief executive of Commonwealth Games Wales, has been made an OBE for his services to the Commonwealth Games and sport in Wales. Gordon James Reid, wheelchair tennis player, has been made an OBE for his services to tennis. Ian Edward Wright, broadcaster and author, has been made an OBE for his services to football and charity.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Eniola Aluko, broadcaster and former footballer, has been made an MBE for her services to football and charity. Sebastien Joseph Bechara, wheelchair rugby player, has been made an MBE for his services to wheelchair rugby league. Colin Frances Bland, chief executive of Sporting Chance, has been made an MBE for his services to sport. Sara Louise Cox, referee, has been made an MBE for her services to rugby union. Thomas Dillon Coyd, coach of the England wheelchair rugby league team, has been made an MBE for his services to wheelchair rugby league. Sam Curran, cricket player, has been made an MBE for his services to cricket. Niall William Andrew Elliott, head of sports medicine at the Sportscotland Institute of Sport and chief medical officer of the British Olympic Association, has been made an MBE for his services to sports and exercise medicine. Jonathan Grant Evans, footballer, has been made an MBE for his services to football in Northern Ireland. Amy Elizabeth Fearn, referee, has been made an MBE for her services to football. Emma Fry (Emma Bristow), motorcyclist, has been made an MBE for her services to motor sports and women in sport. John Parry Griffiths, coach at British Canoeing, has been made an MBE for his services to canoeing and paddlesport. Ian Philip Howard, vice president of World Triathlon, has been made an MBE for his services to triathlon. Gareth Lloyd Jones has been made an MBE for his services to sport and exercise medicine in Wales. Hannah McGarry McLachlan (Anna Marshall), lawn bowls player, has been made an MBE for her services to lawn bowls. Maria Teresa McLoughlin, chair of the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics technical committee at British Gymnastics, has been made an MBE for her services to gymnastics. David William Pond, chief executive of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, has been made an MBE for his services to wheelchair rugby. Adil Rashid, cricket player, has been made an MBE for his services to cricket. Ian Malcolm Rogers, athletics official, has been made an MBE for his services to athletics. Fallon Suzanne Michelle Sherrock, darts player, has been made an MBE for her services to darts. Colin Shields, former ice hockey player, has been made an MBE for his services to ice hockey. James Simpson, former rugby league player, has been made an MBE for his services to wheelchair rugby league. Non Rhiannydd Stanford, former triathlete, has been made an MBE for her services to triathlon in Wales. Susan Taylor, chair of the British Amateur Rugby League Association and vice-president of the Rugby Football League, has been made an MBE for her services to rugby league.
British Empire Medal (BEM)
A number of people have also been recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM). Richard Menzies Campbell (manager at Arbroath Football Club) has been given a BEM for his services to football and the community in Angus. Albert Duffus has been given a BEM for his services to boxing, veterans and charity in Inverness-shire, Aberdeenshire and Moray. Rebecca Edwards (rower) has been given a BEM for her services to rowing. John Leslie Stuart Griffiths (coach at Swansea Harriers Athletics Club) has been given a BEM for his services to athletics in Wales. Lindsay Martin Hedmann (trampolining coach) has been given a BEM for her services to trampolining. Sian Margaret Johnson has been given a BEM for her services to squash in Wales. Anthony Charles Kingston (scorer) has been given a BEM for his services to cricket. Stuart James Langworthy (manager of England Over-60s Walking Football Team) has been given a BEM for his services to football and walking football. Elaine Shallcross (pickleball player) has been given a BEM for her services to pickleball. Lucy Jessica Shuker (Paralympic wheelchair tennis player) has been given a BEM for her services to sport. Bryan Frederick Smith (coach) has been given a BEM for his services to athletics. Mildred Wiltshire (chief marshal co-ordinator at British Motorsport) has been given a BEM for her services to motorsport. Catherine Margaret Wynne (volunteer international technical official at the International Canoe Federation and European Canoe Association) has been given a BEM for her services to sport and canoeing.
Conclusion
The King’s Birthday Honours list recognises the achievements of many influential people in sport who have dedicated their lives to their respective sports and have had a positive impact on their communities. It is inspiring that so many women have been recognised in this year’s list and it is hoped that their achievements will encourage more people from all backgrounds and abilities into sport.