FIGURES from the worlds of sport and education are among the Cumbrians to be recognised in the 2024 New Year's Honours List.

A star of English netball who hails from north Cumbria has been awarded an MBE.

Helen Housby, who comes from Carlisle, plays in attacking positions for the England national team and the New South Wales Swifts in Australia.

She grew up in rural Cumbria surrounded by animals, and at the same time was and still is an avid sports fan, supporting Manchester United and seeing David Beckham as a role model.

Its no surprise that she therefore went on to study zoology at the University of Manchester, and has seen great success in the world of netball, bringing the national team to victory in the Commonwealth Games in 2018, winning gold.

Her efforts have seen her win medals and recognition in global sports, and this year she has been named in the King’s new year’s honours list.

The MBE stands as a symbol of distinction and service, and is granted by the monarch King Charles for outstanding contributions to communities, professions, or charitable endeavours.

It aims to acknowledge and celebrate individuals who have gone above and beyond, making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Now, she joins her role model, David Beckham, in becoming a member of the British Empire, which also includes famous athletes like Marcus Rashford, Andy Murray, Jill Scott, and Ellie Simmonds.

Of her particular sporting achievements, she is perhaps best known for her decisive goal in the closing moments of the gold medal match in the previously mentioned Commonwealth Games.

Her last-second shot secured England’s victory over Australia, marking the first time England had won a major netball tournament.

ALL 2024 HONOURS

Helen Housby was not the only person to have been given an MBE this year from Cumbria.

Karen Shepperson, who worked for years for Ofsted, was awarded one for her services to education.

Ms Shepperson joined Ofsted in 2010 as head of HR, becoming HR director in 2013, and the director of people and operations in 2016.

Now retired, she sat on the Ofsted executive board and was chief advisor to the chief inspector on all people-related issues.

A report on her in HR Magazine said she has led large-scale people transformation in Ofsted including transfer in of contracted workforces, the move to a regional structure for the inspectorate, and new and innovative approaches to pay and recruitment as part of a wider approach to workforce strategy.

She has been said to have transformed the HR function to become a highly-performing team that won the confidence of the board and chief inspector and was seen as a key player in all business discussions, according to the magazine.