Source: World Rugby

Former England captain Sue Day awarded an MBE

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Former England captain Sue Day has been awarded an MBE for services to gender equality in sport in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Sue Day said; “I’m honoured to receive this award and also humbled as I am acutely aware that I am just one of a whole movement of people working incredibly hard to drive the progress of women’s sport and women’s rugby.   The phenomenal progress made in the women’s game, and indeed the game as a whole is the result of lots of passionate players, coaches and volunteers and this award is recognition for them too. I look forward to a time when we can all come together to see a winning England Red Roses team play in front of a full capacity crowd at Twickenham Stadium.”

Now Chief Operations and Financial Officer at the RFU, Day has been a passionate advocate and pioneer of the women’s game.

In her playing days, she won 59 caps for England, scoring 61 tries and won three Grand Slams in a career that took her to three World Cups.

Since retiring from playing in 2010, her work to further the women’s game has only increased.
Day was the first female president of Wasps FC (the amateur arm of Wasps Rugby club) and was one of the founding members of the Women’s Sport Trust, which exists to raise the visibility and increase the impact of women’s sport.

At the RFU, Day has continued to drive the women’s game forward, and is leading development of the strategy to accelerate the all-round growth of the women’s game.
Sue also remains an active member of the Wasps Legends and a supporter of the Wasps Legends Foundation, an organisation made up of men’s and women’s past players who to date have raised over £700,000 for good causes.

To this day Sue remains one of England’s top two try scorers (records from the early days are a little hazy and so it could be either of Sue or Nicky Crawford, both of whom have at least 60 tries!).

Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO commented; “The RFU is very lucky to have Sue’s experience and expertise and this award is testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.  Congratulations Sue, its thoroughly deserved.”