Sport NI wishes to congratulate those within our sporting community who have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List.
Interim Chief Executive, Richard Archibald said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to those within our sporting community who have been named in the King’s New Year Honours List.
“2024 has been a landmark year for sport in Northern Ireland including the incredible seven medals won at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“We are delighted to see Hannah Scott, Claire Taggart and Marissa Callaghan receive MBEs in recognition of their services to Rowing, Boccia and Association Football.Trailblazers within their sports, they are inspiring the next generation of female athletes.
This summer, rower Hannah Scott became the first woman from Northern Ireland since 1972 to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Claire Taggart became a triple Paralympian, representing Team GB in Boccia and Marissa Callaghan concluded her eight-year captaincy of Northern Ireland during which she led the team to their first major tournament.
“The honours also recognise the unsung heroes of sport: the coaches, volunteers, officials and administratorswithout whom sport simply couldn’t happen. These individuals are the backbone of their local communities and sports in bringing people together to benefit from the mental and physical rewards of sport.
“Included on the list is Sport NI Chair George Lucas, who receives an MBE for services to tennis and to sports management and administration. We would like to congratulate George on this award and thank him for his service to Sport NI as Chair over the past eight years. He has played an instrumental role as we work to maximise the power of sport to change lives.”
Amongst those receiving honours are:
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Marissa James Callaghan. Footballer. For service to Association Football.
Joanne Marie Fitzpatrick, Core Programming and Curriculum Specialist, PeacePlayers. For services to Peace, Reconciliation and Sport in the community in Northern Ireland.
George John Lucas. For services to Tennis and to Sports Management and Administration in Northern Ireland.
Hannah Elizabeth Scott. For services to Rowing
Claire Taggart. For services to Boccia
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (British Empire Medal)
Martin Carter McCullough. For services to Junior and Para Archery in Northern Ireland.
Thomas William Neill For services to Local Rugby in Northern Ireland.
Mervyn Thompson, Director, Parkrun Portrush. For services to the community in Portrush, County Antrim