The RFL today congratulates a quartet of recipients of Jubilee Birthday Honours with strong Rugby League links – as “the perfect start to our Platinum Jubilee celebrations”.
RFL President Clare Balding has been awarded the CBE; Brad Gartland, who founded the Stephen Gartland Foundation in memory of his father, the former Rochdale and Oldham half-back and Rochdale Mayfield coach, has received a Royal Voluntary Service special award; the former England and Wigan Warriors captain Sean O’Loughlin has been awarded the OBE; and Brynmor Williams, who played for Cardiff Blue Dragons and represented Wales after switching codes from rugby union, and also worked as a Rugby League commentator, has been awarded the MBE.
Ralph Rimmer, the RFL Chief Executive, said:
“Congratulations to all four of these very worthy recipients of Platinum Jubilee honours.
“Clare Balding has been a valued ambassador for Rugby League for some time, and a pleasure to work with as our RFL President for the last two years. Her Presidency will culminate with the three Rugby League World Cups – Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair – in England this autumn, and we will be delighted to welcome her as Clare Balding CBE.
“Stephen Gartland was another tremendous servant to Rugby League, as a professional player, as a match official and as a stalwart of the community game at Rochdale Mayfield. He would have been immensely proud at what his son, Brad, has achieved, both with the Stephen Gartland Foundation and Andy’s Man Club, with all the superb work they do for men’s mental health.
“Sean O’Loughlin led England into the last Rugby League World Cup in Australia in 2017, and we will always wonder if the Final against Australia may have had a different result if he had been fit to lead the team. In addition to his consistent excellence and commitment for the national team, he gave more than a decade of service to the Wigan club as a player, which is now continuing as a coach. He remains an outstanding ambassador for the sport.
“Our congratulations, also, to Brynmor Williams, who has been recognised primarily for his contribution to rugby union in Wales, but who was also popular within Rugby League circles after switching codes with the Cardiff Blue Dragons.”
