Rugby star honoured with Freedom of the Borough

One of Britain’s greatest women’s rugby players has been honoured with North Tyneside’s top award.

Rugby union star Sarah Hunter MBE, who was born in North Shields, has been awarded the prestigious Freedom of the Borough award by North Tyneside Council – the highest award a local authority can offer.

Sarah started her rugby career at Goathland Primary School, in Longbenton, at the age of 9 and has since gone on to become captain of the England national women’s rugby team, representing the Red Roses a total of 105 times.

Sarah was crowned World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2016 and councillors made the decision to present her with the Freedom of the Borough Award at the annual council meeting last year.

Chair of the Council, Tommy Mulvenna, who presented the award, said: “I’m delighted to be able to present Sarah with North Tyneside’s Freedom of the Borough award.

“She has achieved so much in her career and is widely recognised as one of the great women’s rugby players, all done to her own hard work and dedication.

“To take a sport that, when she started, was so male-dominant and become one of the faces of that sport is an incredible achievement. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more than Sarah.”

Speaking after collecting her award, Sarah said: “To be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough has been a massive privilege for me.

“I may not live in the area anymore, but growing up, having family in the area, and being proud of my roots, it’s such a huge honour to be given the highest accolade that the borough can give out.

“It means so much to be recognised by the place where I grew up and the place that I started rugby, because without that I wouldn’t be standing here and would never have achieved as much as I have achieved.

“There are loads of clubs out there in North Tyneside. Find one, join up and go try something.”

The Freedom of the Borough is the highest award the council can offer in recognition of an individual or groups achievements either having originated from North Tyneside, works within the borough or now lives within the borough.

A nomination needs to be proposed and seconded and supported by 4 additional councillors (6 in total).  The nomination is then considered by the Full Annual Council meeting. 

Previous recipients of the Freedom of the Borough have included Alan Shearer, Ian Le Frenais, Wallsend Boys Club, Girlguiding North Tyneside, Royal Navy vessel HMS Tyne, the Whitley Bay, North Shields and District branch of the Royal British Legion, Whitley Bay Football Club and Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade.

ENDS