LADY Mary Peters, alongside Mary Peters Trust Board members are delighted with the news that Mary Peters Trust funded athletes Claire Taggart and Hannah Scott alongside Trust supporter Marissa Callaghan have each received accolades in the New Year Honours List announced on December 30.
Olympic gold medallist rower Hannah, footballing icon Marissa and boccia star Claire received MBEs and Lady Mary alongside the Trust Board sends huge congratulations to all three. The trio were amongst over 70 local people from Northern Ireland honoured this year.
Claire, from Larne, is the first athlete from Northern Ireland to compete at Boccia in the Paralympics.
Marissa, Claire and Hannah join a sporting elite of recipients who were awarded honours including athletes Keely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith and Katarina Johns-Thompson who also become MBEs, as well as top rower Helen Glover who received an OBE and Paralympian champion racer Hannah Cockcroft, awarded a CBE.
Lady Mary Peters said: “We are so proud of Claire, Hannah and Marissa. They really deserve this honour and each of them have contributed immeasurably to their individual sport and to Northern Ireland as a sporting community.”
Commenting on Marissa’s award, Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood said: “Women’s football has developed exponentially over the past few years. The exploits of the Northern Ireland team have given girls and young women a target to aspire to.
“Marissa has been a role model and a leading figure in the game, and I am delighted this has been recognised with an honours award which is richly deserved.”
Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson added: “Marissa leading the team out at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 was a high point for her and the association, and a culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
“She continues to inspire young girls across Northern Ireland to wear our famous green and white jersey and I am delighted to see her gain this recognition.”
Irish FA Director of Women’s Football Angela Platt also welcomed the Royal award for Marissa.
She said: “This is testament to Marissa’s impact on women’s and girls’ football in Northern Ireland over many years.
“The work she is currently doing on our new women and girls strategy demonstrates her ongoing passion for the game she has done so much to promote.”
