Anna Kessel, much of whose career has been spent writing on sport for the Observer and the Guardian, has been awarded an MBE for services to journalism and women’s sport in the Queen’s birthday honours.

Kessel is chair of Women in Football, an organisation that champions female role models in football and lobbies against sexism in the game.

“I am absolutely thrilled to receive this honour. It says so much about how far we’ve come over the last decade or so in terms of the recognition women in the sports industry are now getting,” said Kessel. “In my own career I have been especially privileged to work alongside, and be supported by, some truly amazing individuals – not least Women in Football co-founder Shelley Alexander, and all of the WiF directors. I wouldn’t be receiving this award today without them.

“There’s much work still to be done before women truly achieve equality in the sector, but I’m excited to be part of the journey.”

The TV presenter Jacqui Oatley paid tribute to Kessel’s work, saying: “She works tirelessly to redress the gender balance - young girls will reap the benefits from her efforts.”