The Bishop of Sherwood, Rt Rev Tony Porter, who once played hockey for England Schoolboys and went on to win an Oxford blue, will work to strengthen links between the Church of England and sport at all levels. Many football and other sports clubs already have Anglican chaplains and there is also a chaplain to the racing industry.

Bishop Tony will be coming at it from the other end of the pitch.

The 'Affirmation of Evangelical Unity over the Theology of Women and Men' is the brainchild of two Anglican ministers, Revs Fiona Gibson and Pete Myers, who aimed to identify common ground for 'complementarians' -- who believe that women and men have different roles and that women should not preach to or lead men -- and 'egalitarians', who believe that they may equally be called to any Church role.

She was raised in Hertfordshire, studied linguistics at Reading University and worked as a speech and language therapist before entering the church.

The 52-year-old -- who is married to a priest-in-charge of two parishes in the City of London -- then attended Oxford University's evangelical theological college Wycliffe Hall and was ordained in 1994.

The Venerable Treweek today revealed she was 'surprised' at her appointment but said it was 'an immense joy and privilege'.

"You may have noticed that I am married to a bishop. This may seem excessive! You would think that one in a family is more than enough.

"Believe me, this has crossed our minds."

Her husband, Frank White, is a deputy bishop in Newcastle in northern England although in effect he has the same status as a bishop.

The Archbishop of York John Sentamu, who made the announcement, said it was "a joyous day".