Shorts campaigning hockey player from West Sussex collects an MBE

A campaigning West Sussex hockey player has been awarded an MBE during a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

Tess Howard, who was part of England women’s 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal squad, was made an MBE for services to inclusive sportswear for women and girls.

The 26-year-old Team GB athlete, who plays for East Grinstead Hockey Club in West Sussex, has pushed for years for females to be able to wear shorts while playing the sport.

Ms Howard, who set up non-profit community-interest company Inclusive Sportswear CIC, said that although “very honoured” by the award it felt “bizarre”.

The International Hockey Federation amended its rules in 2023 to give female teams the choice between wearing skirts, skorts – a skirt with shorts attached underneath – and shorts, providing they are the same colour and design.

However, Ms Howard, who is from Cambridge, said the Princess Royal was “surprised” to find out she had needed to start the campaign in the first place.

“It’s quite ridiculous that I’ve been given an award essentially for campaigning to wear shorts,” she said.

“It’s silly when you say it out loud.”

Adding that she believes her organisation’s work has only just begun, Ms Howard said: “My slogan is kind of ‘Let’s fix this and move on with our lives’.”