Manager and coach get MBEs for their services to football
TWO top names in women’s football have spoken of their joy after they were honoured for their services to the game.
Wales manager Jayne Ludlow and Scotland’s head coach, Michelle Kerr, were made MBEs at Buckingham Palace yesterday.
Ms Ludlow, who is from the Rhondda but lives in Barry, said it was “absolutely fantastic” to be recognised for services to women’s football in her home nation.
After the ceremony she said: “To get this recognition is fantastic for everybody who works in the environment with me right now, the whole team.
“It’s a pity they couldn’t all be here today.”
She joked: “It might have been a bit rowdy, actually.”
Ms Kerr, from Polbeth, West Lothian who is known as Shelley, described her honour as “humbling” and paid tribute to everyone who had helped her get where she is today.
She added that she is hopeful that opportunities for women in the game will continue to grow.
“I think, to sum it up, if a little girl wants to play for a top club then she should have the same pathway and the same opportunities as a little boy has, and thankfully it’s moving in the right direction.”
A climber who died shielding his wife from falling rocks was also recognised at yesterday’s ceremony.
Andrew Foster’s Queen’s Gallantry Medal was presented to his widow, Lucy, by the Prince of Wales.
The couple, who lived in Cardiff, had been walking in Yosemite National Park, California, in 2017, when they were caught in a 1,000tonne rockfall.
As boulders reportedly the size of cars fell from the face of the El Capitan monolith, Mrs Foster lost her footing and her husband lay on top of her to protect her.
Mr Foster’s injuries proved fatal but his wife was rescued and made a full recovery.
Mrs Foster’s family said in tributes at the time that it had been his “last act of love”.
“They loved each other dearly and, while our loss is indescribable, we are so proud of our brave boy in saving Lucy.”