Sports
Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman awarded honorary damehood in New Year Honours
The Dutch coach led the Lionesses to a second straight Euros title in the summer, having also steered the team to the World Cup final in 2023.
Wiegman, who began her role in September 2021, 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. I deeply thank the fans for their support.”
Wiegman’s honour follows another glorious summer for the Lionesses in 2025.
They rode their luck on their run to the Euro final in Switzerland before beating world champions Spain in a penalty shoot-out, following on from winning the competition on home soil in 2022.
Also honoured are team captain Leah Williamson, who becomes a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Four other double European champions – Alex Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh – have each been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs).
Wiegman added: “This title is a reflection of my exceptional team of players and staff. My congratulations go to Alex, Ella, Georgia, Keira, Leah and also Dr Ritan Mehta who have all been celebrated for their brilliant contributions.
“Our team values mean that when there is recognition for one, then there is recognition for all. I want to pay tribute to every member of our Euro squad.
“They should all be celebrated for everything they brought to the pitch and for the positive role they play in society. I’m proud to work alongside such a dedicated group of people.
“It’s been a special year and as we look ahead to our next objective, qualifying for the 2027 World Cup, we hope we can continue to make the country proud.”
Wiegman took on the England role after leading the Netherlands to Euro glory in 2017, and to the World Cup final two years later.
Earlier this month she won women’s coach of the year at The Best FIFA Football Awards.
Dr Mehta, England women’s head of medical and team doctor, becomes a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to football.
New Year Honours for Sport
Dame Jane Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean
PA
Christopher Dean, OBE, Olympic gold medallist, services to ice skating and to voluntary service, Huddersfield.
Jayne Torvill, OBE, Olympic gold medallist, services to ice skating and to voluntary service, Heathfield, East Sussex.
Sarina Wiegman (honorary damehood), England women head coach, for services to football.
Daniel Levy
Getty Images
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Daniel Levy, former Tottenham executive chairman, for services to charity and the community of Tottenham, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.
Leah Williamson, England captain and double women’s European Championship winner, for services to football, St Albans, Hertfordshire.
Fergus McCann, former Celtic chief executive, businessman and philanthropist, for services to the economy and charity, Florida.
Marlie Packer
PA
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Derek Brewer, lately England and Wales Cricket Board adviser, for services to cricket, Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Ann Budge, former Hearts chair, for services to sport and the community in Midlothian, Edinburgh.
Jim Craig, former Celtic defender and member of the European Cup winning Lisbon Lions side of 1967, for services to Scottish football and charity, Perth and Kinross.
Gabby Logan, MBE, broadcaster, for services to broadcasting and to charity, Buckinghamshire.
John Mitchell, England women’s rugby head coach, for services to rugby union, Woking, Surrey.
Barry O’Brien, former England and Wales Cricket Board interim chair and former Glamorgan chair, for services to law, to cricket and to charity, London.
Marlie Packer, double women’s Rugby World Cup winner with England, for services to rugby union, Camberley, Surrey.
Sarah-Jane Perry, England and Great Britain squash player, grassroots champion and mentor, for services to squash, Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
Stuart Pringle, Silverstone circuit chief executive officer, for services to motorsport, Towcester, Northamptonshire.
Paula Radcliffe, MBE, broadcaster and athlete, for services to sport, abroad.
Zoe Stratford (nee Aldcroft), England women’s rugby captain and 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup winner, for services to rugby union, Gloucester.
Clive Tyldesley, football commentator, for services to broadcasting and to charity, Reading.
Gill Whitehead, 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup chair, for services to women’s rugby, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.
Isa Guha
Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Dr Frances Akor, UK anti-doping non-executive director, for services to sport, London.
Susan Briegal, lately World Netball chief executive officer and North West Rowing Council chair, for services to sport, Warrington.
Daniel Costello, Spartan Football Club chair, for services to community, sport and youth development, Edinburgh.
Kerry Davis, former England Women footballer, for services to football and diversity in sport, Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Simone Fisher, Professional Footballers’ Association director of equality, diversity and inclusion, for services to sport, Sunbury-on-Thames.
Alex Greenwood, England footballer and double women’s European Championship winner, for services to football, Wilmslow, Cheshire.
Isa Guha, broadcaster and former England cricketer, Take Her Lead founder and chair, for services to inclusivity and cricket, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
Megan Jones, England women’s rugby player and 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup winner, for services to rugby union, London.
Tara Jones, rugby league referee, services to rugby league, St Helens.
Sadia Kabeya, England women’s rugby player and 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup winner, for services to rugby union, London.
James Keothavong, tennis umpire, services to tennis and tennis umpiring, Bedford.
Louise Kingsley, Great Britain rowing team director of performance, services to sport, Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Ellie Kildunne, England women’s rugby player and 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup winner, for services to rugby union, Reading.
David Laing, lately Borders Disability Sports Group chair, for services to sport, Roxburgh.
Julia Lee, lately referee and advocate for women’s rugby league, for services to rugby league, Huddersfield.
Sarah Massey, 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup managing director, for services to women’s rugby union, Street, Somerset.
Rhys McClenaghan, BEM, artistic gymnastic and pommel horse Olympic champion, services to gymnastics, Newtownards, County Down.
Dr Ritan Mehta, England women’s football head of medical and team doctor, services to football, London.
David Perks, services to athletics, Carmarthen.
Kambiz Ramzan Ali, services to taekwondo and the community in Harrogate, Harrogate.
Toby Roberts, sport climbing Olympic champion, services to sport climbing, Godalming, Surrey.
Georgia Stanway, England footballer and double women’s European Championship winner, services to football, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Ella Toone, England footballer and double women’s European Championship winner, services to football, Manchester.
Nigel Travis, BEM, services to boxing and the community in Moss Side, Greater Manchester.
Keira Walsh, England footballer and double women’s European Championship winner, services to football, Rochdale.
Colin Wright, Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy co-founder, services to women’s gymnastics, Sandhurst, Berkshire.
Marie Wright, Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy co-founder, services to women’s gymnastics, Sandhurst, Berkshire.
