Paris medallists Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen awarded with royal honours

Para archers Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen have been honoured as Members of the Order of the British Empire as part of the British Royal Family’s annual New Year’s honours list.

Great Britain’s Grinham and MacQueen have been recognised for their services to archery following the pair’s gold medal triumph at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in the compound mixed team event with the former also winning compound women’s bronze individually.

Archery coach Marty McCullough was also awarded with a British Empire Medal for his services to junior and para archery in Northern Ireland.

“I’m absolutely honoured to be receiving an MBE [Member of the British Empire] on the New Year’s honours list,” said MacQueen to Archery GB. “It really is the icing on the cake after the success in Paris and the hard work over the last nine years.”

Nathan and Jodie collected gold in the compound mixed team event in Paris, with the 31-year-old in particular drawing global interest for competing whilst pregnant and her individual podium finishes making her the first pregnant athlete to win a Paralympic medal of any sort let alone gold. 

As well as his coaching acumen in Great Britain’s pathway programmes, McCullough is also responsible for founding the Northern Ireland schools archery project along with Archery GB’s regional development officer for Northern Ireland, Lisa Wheeler which works with schools in the region to set up clubs and partnerships.    

He is also known amongst Great Britain’s para scene for coaching but also teaching archery to amputees and other patients with life changing injuries to help their rehabilitation at Belfast’s Musgrave Park hospital.

“The project is in the early stages but it’s exciting as everyone who is involved wants to grow it and help people through recreation, rehab and identifying those golden nuggets who may have the motivation and drive to achieve as para athletes,” explained McCullough to Archery GB. 

Over a thousand honours were given in the 2025 New Year’s honours list with people from all industries recognised for having made significant achievements in public life and committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.

New Year Honours 2025 – Archery

• Jodie Grinham – Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to archery.
• Nathan MacQueen – Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to archery.
• Marty McCullough – British Empire Medal for services to junior and para archery in Northern Ireland.