Mclean is awarded MBE

England captain Katy Mclean

The 28 year-old fly half from South Shields has won 69 caps for England while combining her playing career with teaching in the North East.

She is the second current England Women’s player to be honoured after flanker Margaret Alphonsi received an MBE in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Mclean was named in this year’s New Year’s Honours List.

 “I was shocked to receive this award as it was something I never expected,” said Mclean, who was joined by her family at the Palace today.

 “It’s a huge honour but it is for all the people who have helped me and for all those who’ve worked so hard to bring the women’s game forward. They deserve a massive thank you.”

Mclean started her playing career at Westoe RFC, where current England prop Davey Wilson also hails from, before progressing through England’s age group sides while playing for Darlington Mowden Park.

She cites several coaches as key influences in her development - Stewart Reader at Mowbray Junior School, Jo Hull at Thirsk and Darlington Mowden Park and England Women's Head Coach Gary Street.

Since 2010 she has combined club and international rugby with teaching Reception age children at Bexhill Academy in Sunderland.

Mclean made her England debut in 2007, and has since gone on to play in the 2010 Rugby World Cup and the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens. This August she’ll be hoping to lead England to World Cup success with the tournament taking place in Paris from August 1-17.