England Lionesses and England Red Roses received awards in the New Year’s Honors list after securing more major silverware in 2025.
England women’s head coach Sarina Wigman was awarded an honorary title for her role in leading the Lionesses to successfully defend their European Championship title, with several members of her team also receiving the honour.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honor,” said Wiegman, who started his role in September 2021.
“When I first came to the UK, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I felt from the British people. I am deeply grateful to my fans for their support.”
Team captain Leah Williamson, who will become a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), was also honoured. Four other two-time European champions, Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh, were each made members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Women’s Rugby World Cup-winning England captain Zoe Stratford (née Aldcroft) is among five players to be recognized in the New Year Honors
Red Roses captain Zoe Stratford (née Aldcroft), teammate Murray Packer and head coach John Mitchell have been appointed Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in New Year honors following the success of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Three Red Roses players will also be honored. Megan Jones, Sadia Kabeya and Ellie Kildan have been made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Stratford, who won the World Cup in September with a win over Canada in the final, said: “It’s a special privilege to be selected for the King’s New Year Honors alongside my amazing teammates.”
“This recognition is not due to my efforts alone. This year, I felt the love and support from so many people, and I am truly grateful.
“As Red Roses, our aim is always to inspire and we hope to continue that in 2026 and make people across the country incredibly proud.”
Mitchell said: “I am extremely honored to receive this recognition, but I want to be clear that it is a reflection of the work of the Red Roses World Cup winning team and the excellent staff around them.”
New Zealander Red Roses head coach John Mitchell was also awarded the Order of the British Empire.
Pioneering footballer Kerry Davies, who became England’s first black female international in 1982 and won 90 caps in a 16-year international career, has been made an Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Among the sporting figures recognized are former Tottenham executive chairman Daniel Levy and former Celtic chief executive Fergus McCann, both of whom have been appointed Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Elsewhere, Jane Torvill and Christopher Deane have been awarded titles and knighthoods.
Dame Jayne, 68, and Sir Christopher, 67, have been recognized for their ice skating and volunteer work for the first time nearly 52 years after winning gold medals dancing at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics.
Torvill and Dean’s respective honors were a fitting end to a year in which they completed their final tours before retiring.
“I think the timing is absolutely perfect,” Dame Jayne told the Press Association.
“We did our last tour of the year and it was a big deal for us. We had a great time and we’re very happy with the tour and the fact that we got through it.”
Sir Christopher admitted he had no hesitations about returning to the ice as Dame Jayne and Sir Christopher respectively, saying: “I’m happy now, I’m retired, that’s it.”
“We have over 50 years of skating in this body and being able to do this last tour on our own terms is exactly what we wanted, and 50 years (of a tour) is a great number.”
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are awarded honorary titles and knighthoods for their ice skating and volunteer work, 52 years after winning gold at the 1984 Olympics.
Monaco-based former world marathon champion and broadcaster Paula Radcliffe has been made an OBE for her services to sport.
Broadcasters Gabby Logan and Clive Tyldesley were awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for their services to broadcasting and charity, while broadcaster and former England cricketer Isa Guha was awarded the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to inclusivity and cricket.
Rhys McClenaghan, Ireland’s first pommel head gold medalist and two-time world champion in gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (MBE), as has British Olympic champion Toby Roberts in sport climbing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
