Three of England’s women World Cup stars have been recognised in the New Year honours list alongside the charity work of former rugby league players Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow.
Millie Bright, who captained the team in the absence of fellow defender Leah Williamson, receives an OBE while goalkeeper Mary Earps and forward Lauren Hemp are made MBEs. This month Earps was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
England came up just short, losing 1-0 to Spain in the final in Sydney having won the European Championship in 2022.
Sinfield and Burrow, who were Leeds Rhinos teammates during trophy-laden rugby league careers, have received CBEs for services to motor neurone disease awareness.
Sinfield has raised over £15m since his friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND an incurable and life-limiting condition, in December 2019. This month Sinfield, 43, completed the “7 in 7 in 7” challenge by completing seven ultramarathons in seven cities in as many days.
Sinfield said: “I think it is really special that Rob has been recognised again. The bravery and courage that Rob and his amazing family have shown as he is fighting MND is wonderful; to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible.”
Burrow said: “I am particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE. I hope Kevin and I can go to the palace together in the new year to enjoy another special occasion together again.”
Another MND fundraiser, Rob Wainwright, will receive an OBE. Wainwright is the founder of the Doddie Aid event which raises funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Wainwright’s former Scotland rugby union teammate Doddie Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and died in November last year.
Wainwright said: “This is a tremendous honour, and it’s one I accept on behalf of the whole Doddie Aid community. Doddie was a force of nature, and I was very proud to call him a friend. Like everyone who he knew, who he inspired, I have been galvanised to do whatever I can to end MND.”
The World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont’s knighthood has been upgraded to a Knight Grand Cross.
Peter Shilton, who holds the England men’s team caps record with 125 appearances between 1970 and 1990, receives a CBE for services to football and gambling harm prevention.
Two senior figures at the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, its chair, Sanjay Bhandari, and head of development, Troy Townsend, have each been made MBEs. Howard Wilkinson, who led Leeds to the First Division title in 1992 and was briefly caretaker manager of England, has been made an OBE, as has the former Scotland manager Alex McLeish, for services to charity.
The Arsenal chief executive, Vinai Venkatesham, receives an OBE and the Brighton chairman, Tony Bloom, receives an MBE. The former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling is made an MBE for services to sport, broadcasting and charity. The BBC sports presenter Hazel Irvine receives the same honour.
Stuart Broad receives a CBE. Broad announced his retirement from cricket during the final Ashes Test in the summer and he bowed out in stunning fashion by hitting a six off his final ball and taking the match-winning wicket as England drew the series at the Oval.
Marcus Trescothick, who played 76 Tests for England, receives an OBE for services to mental ill-health. He works as a mental health ambassador for the Professional Cricketers’ Association.
Christian Horner, the team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing, after another world championship winning year, is awarded an OBE for services to motor sport. Ron Dennis, the former McLaren team principal, is knighted for services to charity.
Gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie, England netball player Helen Housby and race-walker Tom Bosworth are made MBEs. Maddie Hinch, an Olympic hockey gold medallist in 2016, becomes an OBE.
