Katie Barker carries Commonwealth baton through Newcastle

Barker - last season's leading scorer for the Lady Magpies - carried the baton through the streets of Newcastle and along the Quayside as it makes its way to Birmingham for the start of the 2022 Commonwealth games later this month. 

The Newcastle United Women number nine described the experience as "surreal" and admitted that she felt privileged to have been nominated.

She said: "It was an absolute honour. It was a really nice moment. I pretty much smiled the whole way when I was carrying it. Everyone was clapping, it was a nice day, and down by the Quayside it's an iconic location for such a good event to happen. I couldn't get the smile off my face."

Batonbearers were nominated in recognition of the inspirational impact they have had on their communities, and Barker was selected following a campaign which saw Newcastle United Women break new ground after playing at St. James' Park for the first time in front of a remarkable crowd of 22,134 supporters.

Barker was on the cover of a special double matchday programme to mark the historic occasion, and scored the first goal of a 4-0 win over Alnwick Town Ladies at the famous stadium.

And while she is proud of her recognition, the striker insisted that she couldn't have been handed the amazing opportunity if not for the success Newcastle Women had last season.

"It was absolutely crazy," she said. "It's a massive, massive thing for people to know who I am and what we've done as a club last season.

"It's not just been me, it's been the whole team. I've just been a part of that. It's nice for not only me but Newcastle Women to be recognised."

At the end of her leg of the relay, Barker was presented on stage to hundreds of spectators, many of whom were young children.

"You could see people's faces lit up," she said. "For young boys and girls to see that I was there and I'm just a girl from Wallsend is important.

"We want to inspire people. We want younger girls to be inspired so that Newcastle Women have the next wave of talent and young footballers coming through. We are starting this journey and they can help along the way and in future years."

Following the success of the relay, Councillor Lesley Storey, Newcastle City Council Cabinet Member for a Vibrant City, said: "It was a pleasure for us to welcome the Queen's Baton Relay to Newcastle on Friday evening, and it was wonderful that so many people came out to enjoy the occasion. Newcastle certainly knows how to put on a show, and this was no different.

"All of our Batonbearers had the opportunity to carry the baton because of the role they play in our community, and that certainly applies to Katie Barker. She is a role model to women and girls - and all aspiring footballers - in our city, and it was brilliant for her to be able to carry the baton into the end-of-day celebration on the Quayside.

"I'd like to thank Katie, all our other Batonbearers, and everyone who came together to enjoy a special evening on Friday."

Photograph courtesy of Steve Brock