The Queen has recognised a number of people in the world of women's sport in her 2016 New Year's Honours list. FA board member, Heather Rabbatts has been made a Dame, while Sports presenter Sue Barker has been awarded an OBE. Other notable honours are World Cup Bronze Medal winners Steph Houghton and Fara Williams and England Netball Coach Tracey Neville who will all receive an MBE.
Heather Rabbatts is possibly the most influential woman in English domestic football, given her position at the Football Association. In 2012, she became the first woman to be appointed a director at the FA and has subsequently campaigned at both the FA and FIFA on behalf of women in sport. Recently she has spoken out against the treatment of former Chelsea FC Doctor Eva Carneiro and resigned from FIFA's anti-discrimination taskforce following president Sepp Blatter's re-election in June. Previously awarded a CBE, she receives her damehood for public service and services to football and equality.
Chairman of British Rowing and vice-chairman of the British Paralympic Association, Annmarie Phelps will receive a CBE for services to rowing. After a successful rowing career, Phelps moved to the other side of the sport and in October this year was appointed to the Executive Board of the British Olympic Association. Heading into Rio 2016, she will continue to work with the BOA, BPA and British Rowing to make the Olympics and Paralympics successful.
Former tennis player, Sue Barker has been awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting and charity. After injury forced the end of a successful playing career, which included winning the French Open in 1976, Barker moved into broadcasting and now presents across the BBC, including tennis coverage, Question of Sport and Sports Personality of the Year.
Also receiving OBE's are Lawn Tennis Association President Catherine Sabin and former triathlete Chrissie Wellington. Sabin, who became the LTA's first female president in 2013, receives her honour for services to tennis. A former PE teacher from Shropshire, Sabin has helped to change the reputation of the sports governing body. Wellington sees her MBE, awarded in the Queen's 2010 Birthday Honours, upgraded for services to sport and charity. The four-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion retired from the sport in 2012 and has since written her autobiography and represents numerous charities as well as promoting Triathlon UK.
England football captain, Steph Houghton and midfielder, Fara Williams both recieve MBE's after the success at the Women's World Cup in Canada this year. Manchester City Women defender Houghton, who made a name for herself after scoring three goals from left back during the London 2012 Olympics, was appointed captain by new England coach Mark Sampson in January 2014 and lead the team to a bronze medal in Canada. Liverpool Ladies midfielder Williams, has received her honour for services to women's football and charity after announcing recently that she was homeless for six years at the beginning of her career. She has since worked with the Homeless FA, regularly coaching homeless girls and women, and scored the penalty to help England beat Germany for the first time in the World Cup 3rd Place Play-off this summer.
Sports presenter and journalist, Jacqui Oatley is to be appointed MBE for services to broadcasting and diversity in sport. Most known for being the first female commentator to appear on Match of the Day in 2007, Oatley is also a FA qualified coach and director of Women in Football. Also appointed MBE is England Netball coach Tracey Neville. After a serious knee injury forced her to retire from playing in 2008, Neville started coaching and coached at Team Northumbria and most recently Manchester Thunder before becoming England coach this year and leading the team to third place at the Netball World Cup.
Other women in sport honoured with an MBE include Yvonne Anderson, for services to the Special Olympics, Janice Eaglesham, for services to disability sport, Heather Galbraith, for services to equestrianism; Pamela Gallant, for services to people with special needs, particularly through sport, Dianne McMillan, for services to swimming and disability awareness and Anne Whitworth, for services to hockey in the north-east.