Rugby figures recognised in New Year’s Honours List
Four rugby union representatives have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List for their services to the sport.
- Former England captain Karen Almond among those recognised
- Former RFU Chairman Andy Cosslett awarded a CBE
Former England captain Karen Almond has been awarded an MBE for her services to women’s rugby.
Karen Almond was the first England rugby captain to lift a XVs World Cup.
She discovered rugby as a middle distance track and field athlete at Loughborough University and went on to become an outstanding fly half.
Almond was selected for the first Great Britain side that played France at Richmond in 1986.
The following year she was part of the very first England women’s team, taking on and defeating Wales at Pontypool Park.
You can read Almond's First and Last feature here.
Former Chairman Andy Cosslett has been awarded a CBE in the Honours List for his services to the Rugby Football Union.
Cosslett became Chair of the RFU in 2016 replacing Bill Beaumont and had previously been a non-executive director on the RFU Board as well as overseeing the delivery of the Rugby World Cup as Chairman of England Rugby 2015.
Cosslett has a lifelong association with the sport and played for 25 years. He was the captain of Weybridge Vandals in the 1980s and served as Vice President of the club.
This year’s list also saw recognition for those involved directly in the community game with Karen Sawbridge included in the Medallists of the Order of the British Empire.
Sawbridge is the Chairman of Bridgnorth Rugby Club and was included for her services to grassroots rugby union as well as to her community in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.
George Spinks was also included in the Medallists of the Order of the British Empire for his services to Reeds Weybridge Rugby Club in Berkshire.
