Three Brunel alumnae have been named in the Independent’s list of the most influential women in sport.
British and English hockey captain Kate Richardson-Walsh and Nigerian-born footballer Eni Aluko came 19th and 20th respectively in the inaugural list, which highlights the 50 most powerful and inspirational women in British sport today.
Olympic heptathlete and broadcaster Kelly Sotherton was named in a further list of ‘The ones to watch in the fast lane’.
Kate, who studied sport science at Brunel, has a list of sporting successes to her name, most notably guiding the British women’s hockey team to Olympic bronze at the London 2012 Games. The 35-year-old was made an MBE for services to hockey in this year’s New Year Honours list.
Eni, a law alumna, is a Chelsea Ladies and England footballer. She was player of the match in this year’s Women’s FA Cup Final and made sporting television history last September when she appeared on a Match of the Day panel – the first female pundit in the show’s 50-year history.
Former graduate Kelly, a Commonwealth Gold medalist and Olympic Bronze medalist, retired from competing in 2012 and has since gone on to carve a career in sports journalism, appearing on Sky Sports, talkSPORT and Channel 4.
The top 50 was judged by a panel of people from a range of sporting disciplines, comprising atheletes, administrators and journalists. The full list can be seen here.