A WINSFORD mum who is passionate about gender equality in sport has received a prestigious honour.

Jayne Haines has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for her services to women's sport.

The mum-of-three leads the board of trustees at Women in Sport and fosters the charity’s mission to give every woman and girl the opportunity and inspiration to take part in sport.

Jayne said: “I feel absolutely humbled and privileged to have been awarded with an MBE, especially at a time of great upheaval across the country and globally. Women in Sport is a cause so close to my heart.

"I strive to ensure that my daughter, and everyone’s daughter, has the same access and experience of sport as my sons."

Seeing that her daughter did not have access to the same sporting experience as her two sons, Jayne set up a franchise business called Netball Nippers.

Jayne added: "Too many women and girls across many communities are missing out on being active and the joy of sport. We must change this, because sport can change lives, build stronger futures and build healthier and happier people."

The royal accolade came as double joy for her family as mum Veronica celebrates her 80th birthday today.

Mum-of-four Veronica said: "We are so overwhelmed, we want Jayne to know how proud me and her dad David are of her.

"She is a very hard working woman and has made a tremendous contribution to women's sport.

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Jayne attended St John's Primary School with older siblings Tracy, Julie and David.

After studying at the former Woodford Lodge School, she graduated with a degree at Lancaster University.

Jayne, now senior vice president of talent, learning and organisation development at pharmaceutical company Glaxo Smith Kline, joined Women in Sport as a trustee in 2013.

She became chairman in 2018 and has brought significant impact to the sport sector and the lives of women and girls.

Jayne was instrumental in the charity securing a requirement for all sports governing bodies to have a minimum of 30 per cent women on their boards – now part of the statutory sports governance code, and a key milestone in the charity’s drive for more diverse and inclusive sporting workplaces.

Jayne has cemented Women in Sport’s reputation as a leading voice on the barriers girls and women face to being active and empowering change across the sporting sector. She has ensured the charity has a diverse and influential board of trustees and has led the way in governing financial sustainability past and present.

Her guidance has ensured that Women in Sport makes impact and change through listening to the many different voices of women and girls, so vital during a year of lockdowns and ensuring sport and leisure is accessed by all as society moves towards a new normal.

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, chief executive of Women in Sport said: “I would like to thank Jayne for being a fearless ambassador for the charity, and her energy and commitment to our cause.

"From chairman to netball umpire, inclusivity is part of Jayne’s DNA. She has helped to build strong foundations for Women in Sport to continue our work of ensuring that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport.”

The charity Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and has a track record of success in securing change based on its deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of women and girls at each life stage and its determination to break down stubborn gender inequalities through its work within the sports sector and beyond.

Jayne’s award recognises her individual contribution to this, which has been led by her unwavering determination and passion to achieve gender equality in sport.