Leeds Metropolitan University
Summer Graduation 2006
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Honorary Doctorates |
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Winter Graduation 2006 |
Rachael Heyhoe Flint
Rachael Heyhoe Flint is the most well known female cricketer in England and as batsman was renowned for championing the cause of women’s cricket. She first played for England in 1960, captained the side from 1966 to 1977 and ended her international career in 1983 after making a record 51 appearances for her country.
Introduced by Pro Vice-Chancellor Shelia Scraton at the ceremony as a talented and distinguished sports woman, Rachael Heyhoe Flint said, “Thank you very much for this kind oration.
As a teacher I failed my final exams and then 36 years later I have 4 Honorary Degrees, before today I was known by my friends and family as the three degrees.
“I feel very humble being here, especially with the Vice-Chancellor talking about the links with Headingley Carnegie Stadium.”
Addressing the graduands, Rachael added, “To succeed in sports management you have to overcome many pitfalls, but you all have a wonderful grounding here in Carnegie. My sports science is never give up; there is always life and hope at the end of the tunnel. I have had a wonderful journey and life experience, and it is a wonderful feeling being part of the whole structure of the game of cricket.
“Thank you for the honour in giving me this wonderful award. I feel proud to be sharing this platform with you Lord Left Lieutenant, Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, and also with Dee Caffari, who has completed a wonderful, wonderful achievement and a great achievement for women in sport.
“So from being a dinner lady at school to a batswoman of England , I give my grateful thanks and I am delighted and honoured to receive this Honorary Doctorate.”
She was captain of the first England women’s team to play at Lords in the 1976 Women’s Ashes series, has scored 30 centuries, and her top score of 179 for England v Australia at The Oval in 1976 is still the record score for an English player in Test Matches in England .
Rachael Heyhoe Flint also played hockey for England in 1964 as goalkeeper, and represented Staffordshire for a record 25 years. In addition she played squash and golf for Staffordshire. and has written ‘Fair Play’, the story of Women’s Cricket, ‘Heyhoe’, her autobiography and two hockey instruction books.
After retiring from cricket Rachael has been a cricket journalist and broadcaster, after-dinner speaker and businesswoman. She was appointed Sports Editor of the Wolverhampton Chronicle before turning freelance as sports writer for the Daily and Sunday Telegraph and in 1973 was appointed TV’s first woman sports presenter/reporter with ITV’s ‘World of Sport’. She is now a Public Relations and Sports Marketing Consultant.
In 1999 she was one of the first ten women admitted to the MCC as an honorary life member and in 2004 was the first woman in 217 years to be voted onto the General Council of the MCC. She was also a director of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club from 1997 – 2004 and in 1999 was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands. In 2001 she became President of the Lady Taverners, the national charity and fundraising arm of the Lord’s Taverners, who support youngsters with special needs by providing sports facilities and mini buses. Rachael Heyhoe Flint was awarded the MBE in 1972 for services to cricket.
HONORARY AWARDS 2006
Saturday 22nd July
Friday 21st July
Thursday 20th July
Wednesday 19th July