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UK Sport's Nicholl awarded OBE

Published 19 June 2006

Liz Nicholl, UK Sport’s Director of Performance, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to sport.

Nicholl, who also received an MBE in 2000, joined UK Sport in 1999 and held the position of Acting Chief Executive for 18 months from January 2004. The former Chief Executive of England Netball oversees UK Sport’s Performance Directorate which, over the last year, has undergone significant change. This has included taking on strategic responsibility for the English Institute of Sport, the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme and the Olympic and Paralympic performance pathway investment - from the identification of World Class Talent through to the podium, also including responsibility for 2012 performance planning and the significant new resources committed by Government on the back of UK Sport's submission.

"I am delighted to accept the honour," said Nicholl. "This reflects everything the organisation has achieved over the last year or so and the commitment we have shown in facing up to the new challenge of transforming the performance landscape, aiming for success in 2012 and beyond."

UK Athletics president, Lynn Davies, received a CBE for his various roles in athletics. Davies, a former Olympic long jump champion, was delighted with the award at a time when the sport is under close scrutiny.

"I feel this award recognises the sport of athletics and also the sacrifices which my family and others underwent," he said. "I think we are now poised to move forward with a collective forum, with a united new council, and everyone is looking with great optimism towards London 2012. I’m sure our developing athletes will fulfil their potential there."

David Richards, chairman of the FA Premier League and the Football Foundation received a knighthood and the former Chief Executive of the latter organisation, Peter Lee, was awarded an OBE.

Amongst those to receive MBEs were, rower Katherine Grainger, a current World Champion with her women’s quadruple scull crew, and Craig Crowley, the Chair of UK Deaf Sport. Hugh Foster, the President of the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation and manager of the country’s Commonwealth Games cycling squad was also a recipient of the award.

Full list of Sporting Honours

Knighthoods

  • David Richards, chairman of the FA Premier League and the Football Foundation, for services to sport

CBEs

  • Lynn Davies, services to sport, in particular athletics

OBEs

  • Annabelle Bond, services to Mountaineering and to Eve appeal
  • Bill Hogg, services to Scottish Rugby Union
  • Peter Lee, lately chief executive of the Football Foundation, services to sport
  • Elizabeth Nicholl, director of UK Sport, services to sport
  • Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of Business in Sport and Leisure, services to sport

MBEs

  • Brian Conyon, president of Cornwall County Football Association, services to sport
  • Craig Crowley, chair of UK Deaf Sport, services to sport
  • Stephen Curtis, powerboat racer, services to sport
  • Jill Edwards, services to golf in Wales
  • Barry Ferguson, Rangers and Scotland captain, services to sport
  • Hugh Foster, president of the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation and manager of the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games cycling squad, services to sport
  • Katherine Grainger, rower, services to sport
  • Richard Hudson, swimmer, services to disabled sport
  • Robert Jack, services to bowls
  • Gordon Jago, former Millwall, QPR and USA manager, services to the promotion of international youth football
  • Bernard Lancaster and Valerie Lancaster, coach and co-founders of Banks Gymnastic Club, services to sport in the north west
  • Patricia Ann Lovell, senior selector, England women's cricket team, services to sport
  • David Luckes, services to London 2012 Olympic bid
  • John Mackenzie, president of Camanachd Association, services to shinty
  • Niall McShea, rally driver, services to motor sport
  • Desmond Pastore, services to rugby
  • Colin Philpott, services to sport and the community
  • Eileen Pitman, coach and founder, Portslade Fencing Club
  • Judith Roe, services to swimming
  • John Stubbs, archer, services to disabled sport
  • Graham Thorpe, services to cricket
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