University Of East London Student Receives Name In New Year’s Honours List 2023

Digital technology student, Ziana Butt said she was shocked and honoured to be named in the King’s New Year’s Honours List of 2023.

Ziana Butt, studying BSc Digital & Technology Solutions. was awarded the British Empire Medal for ‘services to netball and diversity’.

Ziana was the first person of Pakistani heritage to represent England in netball. She has since won 15 caps for the under-21 national team and is currently in the inaugural England mixed squad, Saracens Mavericks U21 Netball Squad and Academy Premier Team. She is also a level one netball coach and a young volunteer at England Netball.

The 20-year-old from Ilford has spent most of her career promoting diversity in netball and encouraging people from South Asian backgrounds to participate in sports that they have previously felt excluded from.

Ziana Butt receives British Empire Medal.
She has co-authored a children’s book titled ‘Aisha’s Netball’ encouraging young Asian girls to get involved in sport and is a current member of the National Youth Sport Forum where she advises on school sport and recreational policies.

In November 2022, Ziana was named young netball volunteer prize at the National ONE Awards and was highly commended at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards.

“It took a while to sink in as I couldn’t quite understand why me,” said Ziana.

“I hope this Award is a reflection that the message is getting through to those who can drive change, not just in sport and netball but any industry, creating a welcoming, inclusive and diverse culture where we can all bring our whole self without fear of judgement, acceptance, not being a favourite or needing an ally,” she continued.