The King’s New Year’s honours has seen a former professional football referee recognised on the prestigious list. 

Janie Frampton, 64, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to equality for women in sport.

She has worked for over four decades to advance gender equality in sports with her tireless efforts leaving a mark on the landscape of women's participation and representation in sports.

She said: "I am truly honoured and humbled by the award bestowed on me. This recognition fuels my dedication and commitment to excellence and motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and to uphold the values and standards set by this prestigious accolade.

“I extend heartfelt gratitude to those who believed in my work, fostering a spirit of achievement and innovation.

“This accolade serves as a testament to collective efforts, inspiring me to further contribute to the development of equity, diversity, and inclusion across sport and industry.”

Janie, from Blandford, began her career as a football referee, becoming the second woman to officiate a professional men’s game in England.

After her work at the Football Association she went on to co-found Team You a consultancy dedicated to empowering individuals through bespoke courses on gender leadership, social awareness, equality, diversity, and inclusion, soft skills, and more, with a specific focus on supporting sports officials.

Her advocacy for fairness, particularly gender equality, is deeply ingrained in her personal values and behaviours.

Throughout her career, she consistently championed these principles, often standing alone in the face of adversity, becoming a driving force to influence and change mindsets and encourage diversity across all levels of sports.

She added: “I have had a value of fairness all my life and want to fight every battle, and in women’s sport there is still a lot of unfairness and I have had to pick my battles."

Janie's generosity extends beyond her professional pursuits, as she has volunteered for various boards and committees over the years.

Her involvement with organisations like the Muslim Women’s Network UK, Boccia, the English Cricket Board, and Sport Officials UK underscores her commitment to broader social causes.

As the Chair of Ref Support, Janie has played a pivotal role in organising educational, social, and support activities for members.

The charity's 24-hour free hotline for referees in need exemplifies Ref Supports dedication to fostering a thriving and supportive community.

Her pursuit of gender equality has not only transformed the role of women in sport but has also inspired countless others to challenge norms and pursue their aspirations.

She continued: “I have worked tirelessly as a volunteer in sport and to try and make a difference.

“I have always said extraordinary things happen to very ordinary people and this is one of those things. I believe that is what the honours are there for.

“I am extremely surprised, even though I have known for a long time now, I am beyond proud, it has been the most stressful six weeks I can imagine it was such a massive secret."