Clare Taylor MBE presented her career in sport to Huddersfield Town Women’s+ Network
- Review of latest Women’s+ Network meeting
- Huddersfield Town welcomed Clare Taylor MBE
- Join our Women’s+ Network by CLICKING HERE
Hosting another fantastic meeting on 30 May 2023, the Club’s growing Women’s+ Network welcomed Clare Taylor MBE as their special guest to discuss all things related to forging a successful career in sport.
Clare visited the Club’s expanding Women’s+ Network to share insights into her career in sport in the ‘non-professional era’ and spoke candidly about her formative years of playing football with boys from school, a time when everyone on the team looked out for each other regardless of gender, and how her career began to take off when she responded to a Women’s Football Association advert in Shoot magazine.
Clare’s footballing aspirations took her to Liverpool Ladies, for which she played in three FA Cup finals. She made her England debut against Germany on 16 December 1990, which was an all too familiar 2-0 defeat for England. She also played cricket for England and represented the England Women’s Cricket Team from 1988 until 2005, with a particular highlight being a member of the team that won the 1993 World Cup final at Lord’s Cricket Ground against New Zealand.
Clare spoke honestly about the challenges of playing sport at a high level while also working for Royal Mail, and how she would save up all her annual leave so she could commit to domestic and overseas sporting pursuits as much as possible. Her career took her to New Zealand, where she also put down roots and played for the Otago Sparks women’s cricket team for over nine years.
When asked what advice she would give to young people aspiring to pursue a career in professional sport, Clare said there are no short cuts and it takes hard work and determination to succeed, as well as resilience to work through the inevitable knockbacks. She also described the importance of education and having other things to focus on, because playing careers are usually relatively short.
Clare was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2000 Birthday Honours for services to Cricket, Association Football, and Hockey. members of the Women’s+ Network had the rare opportunity of seeing Clare’s MBE medal and other sporting awards. Clare was presented with her MBE by King Charles the Third (then the Prince of Wales) at Buckingham Palace and was accompanied by her very proud parents.
After a successful evening, one attendee commented:
“Thank you to the Huddersfield Town Women’s+ Network for organising this event.
"It was inspiring to listen to Clare, and I learned a lot about where hard work and mindset can get you. Clare shared a quote with us - ‘Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right’, which will stick with me.”
Huddersfield Town HR Manager and Women’s+ Network member Zoe Shackleton added:
“We cannot thank Clare enough for giving up her time to talk to our Women’s+ Network members and providing such wonderful insights into the evolution of professional sport and what it takes to get to the highest levels.
“We are delighted that the event was so well-attended and that we also received generous donations to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, a charity close to Clare’s heart and for which she has raised funds by participating in the Club’s ‘Pedal for Pounds’ bike rides. It was a privilege to meet Clare and we are very grateful to her for giving up her time.”
Interested in joining our Women’s+ Network? We are open to everyone! CLICK HERE to learn more about becoming a member.
