Sarina Wiegman an honorary dame as Lionesses and Red Roses get honours
Sarina Wiegman has been awarded an honorary damehood after guiding England to back-to-back European titles, in a new year honours list dominated by the Lionesses and England’s victorious women’s rugby union team.The Red Roses’ World Cup success on home soil has led to the captain, Zoe Aldcroft, the vice-captain, Marlie Packer, and the head coach, John Mitchell, named OBEs, while Megan Jones, Sadia Kabeya and Ellie Kildunne become MBEs.Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have been honoured with a damehood and a knighthood for services to skating and to voluntary service, more than 40 years after their gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo while July’s triumph for Wiegman’s Lionesses also means the captain, Leah Williamson, has been named an OBE and four of her teammates – Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh – MBEs.The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said: “It has been an historic year for women’s sport and I could not be more pleased to congratulate our Red Roses and Lionesses on their new year’s honours.To have two England teams – in two of our most loved sports – win major tournaments in the space of a few months was just extraordinary.
”Wiegman, who has overseen England’s run to three consecutive major finals, said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honour.When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I’ve experienced from the English people.” As a Dutchwoman, Wiegman is ineligible for the title of dame, hence the honorary nature of her award.Debbie Hewiit, the Football Association’s chair, said Wiegman has “captured the hearts of the English public”, adding: “We feel incredibly privileged to have not only the world’s leading head coach, but also an exceptional leader – someone who leads with integrity, humility, and a deep belief in human connection.”The broadcaster Gabby Logan and the former world and European marathon champion Paula Radcliffe, both already MBEs, were made OBEs, as was the commentator Clive Tyldesley, for services to broadcasting and charity.
There is also recognition for the off-pitch efforts that contributed to England hosting a successful Rugby World Cup,Sarah Massey, the tournament’s managing director, is made an MBE, and the chair of the board of directors, Gill Whitehead, an OBE,Aldcroft, who lifted the trophy after September’s win over Canada, said: “As Red Roses, our aim is always to inspire,We hope we will continue to do so in 2026 and make people all over the country incredibly proud,”Perhaps surprisingly, the Lionesses trio of Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton and Michelle Agyemang have all been omitted from this year’s list despite widespread acclaim for their performances last summer, along with Alessia Russo, who scored England’s goal in the final against Spain.
Dr Ritan Mehta, the Lionesses’ head of medical, is made an MBE for services to football, having worked with the team for 11 years, while that honour also goes to the former England player Kerry Davis for services to football and diversity in sport.In 1982, she became England’s first black female international player.She scored 44 times for England and Wiegman added: “I’d also like to congratulate Kerry – she is a Lionesses’ legend and the women’s game would not be where it is today without her, and the contribution of so many former players.We have a lot to thank her for.”Stanway, who helped Bayern Munich win two major trophies in 2025 as well as being a key player for the Lionesses in Switzerland, said of her honour: “Receiving an MBE is a real ‘pinch me’ moment.
After all, I am just a girl from Barrow.I love my country and I’ll fly the flag wherever life takes me.To be awarded an MBE is such a huge honour so thank you and dream big!”The former executive chair of Tottenham Daniel Levy and the former Celtic chief executive Fergus McCann have been made CBEs.The former Celtic defender Jim Craig, who was part of their 1967 Lisbon Lions who won the European Cup, is an OBE while the tennis umpire James Keothavong becomes an MBE along with the broadcaster and former England cricketer Isa Guha.
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