Aintree Racecourse has today named Wendy Humphrey-Taylor as the winner of the Rose Paterson Community Sportswoman Award for 2026.

Launched by the racecourse in partnership with BBC Radio Merseyside at the 2021 Randox Grand National Festival, the award remembers Aintree’s late Chair Rose Paterson, who sadly passed away in 2020. Its aim is to recognise on an annual basis a female from Merseyside who is making a difference to grassroots community sport, either through participation or support.

This year’s nominations were judged by Rose’s daughter Evie and ITV Racing presenter Alice Plunkett.

Wendy, who was nominated by the LFC Foundation, has been a dedicated figure in supporting refugees and asylum seekers across Merseyside using the opportunities offered by football. She has volunteered at Asylum Link as a Volunteer Football Coordinator for over 15 years and her unwavering commitment has created a more inclusive, connected, and welcoming community for those who are often the most marginalised in society.

She consistently promotes and advertises the opportunities offered by sport, not only within Asylum Link but across the wider network of charities she collaborates with. This helps to ensure that all refugees and asylum seekers, regardless of their background or status, are aware of the sporting opportunities on offer to them and made to feel welcome to participate.

Through her work, Wendy has developed links with football foundations across the North West, including the Liverpool Football Club Foundation and Everton In The Community, helping to use the medium of sport as a means of integration and creating a broader community of inclusion.

Wendy also addresses the practical barriers to participation and frequently donates football boots and clothing to new participants - many of whom arrive without suitable sportswear - removing a key barrier that might otherwise prevent involvement.

With her tireless, hands-on approach, Wendy is a most devoted and impactful supporter of inclusion-focused work. Her contributions transcend what is expected of a volunteer and she gives her time, energy and expertise without asking for anything in return - only ever offering gratitude for being part of the journey.

At the Randox Grand National Festival, Wendy will receive her award in the Rose Paterson Memorial Garden on Opening Day (tomorrow, Thursday 9th April) and receives £1,000 to donate to a charity of her choice.

Wendy supports the LFC Foundation which is the official charity of Liverpool Football Club. They aim to tackle social inequality home and away. It focusses on improving health, championing learning and providing employability programmes for all. Last season the LFC Foundation supported over 145,000 people in Liverpool as well as across five other countries.

Speaking about being named the winner, Wendy said: “I am truly humbled that the committee has endowed me with this prestigious Rose Paterson award. The award is not only for me, but also for staff of LFC Foundation, Everton in the Community, Liverpool Football Association, and for the charities, the thousands of staff and volunteers, male and female, who make a difference to the lives of so many Merseyside communities through inclusion. I give you all my eternal thanks.”

Dickon White, The Jockey Club’s North West Regional, said: “Wendy Humphrey-Taylor has devoted herself to improving the lives of others in the most selfless way, which goes to the very heart of what the Rose Paterson Community Sportswoman Award is really about.

“She is a most worthy recipient, and we look forward to welcoming her to Opening Day at the Randox Grand National Festival.”