England captain Leah Williamson is one of four Euro 2022 winners to be recognized in the tournament New Year’s Awards.
The Arsenal defender lifted the Lionesses’ first major trophy after the team’s 2-1 extra time Germany’s defeat to Wembley to win the only piece of silverware for an England senior team since the men’s team triumphed at the World Cup in 1966. The 25-year-old becomes OBE, while teammates Beth Mead, Ellen White and Lucy Bronze have received MBEs. The head coach Sarina Wiegman He also received an honorary CBE.
Wiegman said: “I feel very privileged and honored to have received such a prestigious honor and would like to dedicate it to the players, support team and others within The FA who have worked tirelessly for our success. commmon.
As I reflect on this, I would like to thank the fans for the warmth they have shown me since my arrival in 2021, I am very proud to represent them as England head coach. I would also like to share my congratulations to Leah, Beth, Ellen and Lucy. Their recognition is a reflection of a brilliant 12 months for the whole squad and the great job they all do on and off the pitch.
Williamson’s Arsenal team-mate Mead was named player of the tournament this summer after scoring six goals and providing five assists to win the golden boot. She finished second to Spain’s Alexia Putellas in the Ballon d’Or voting in October and became the first female footballer. to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
White recently announced that she was pregnant after his retirement from playing after the final. The Lionesses all-time record goalscorer hit the back of the net twice during the Euros to take her tally to 52. The Barcelona Bronze right-back, who recently won his 100th England cap and was named 2020 FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, He scored in Sweden’s 4-0 semi-final defeat.
More than 1,700 people have signed a change.org petition calling for all England winners of Euro 2022 to be recognized with at least an MBE. However, Sir Hugh Robertson, chairman of the parliamentary committee which oversees sporting honours, said: “There is a danger in…bombing the whole team because then you get people who have been on the pitch for five minutes and who receive a prize. So what we’ve tried to do is stick to the principle of honors, which is to recognize excellence and…extraordinary contributions.
The Lionesses aren’t the only footballers to gain recognition, with Wales and Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle becoming an OBE. Former Northern Ireland captain Gail Redmond and Scottish duo of Kim Little and Jen Beattie, both from Arsenal, also become MBEs.
Beattie was honored for her services to football and charity. The player, who has won 143 caps, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and has since used its platform to encourage women to get checked. She received the Helen Rollason BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2021 for her efforts.
Other notable sporting names on the New Year honors list include Commonwealth Games England chairwoman and former heptathlete Denise Lewis, who is becoming a dame, and the former Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United goalkeeper. Northern Ireland Pat Jennings, who becomes CBE. Scottish captain and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has been awarded an MBE for his services to football, charity and youth.
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