There are plenty of past winners of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award who have worn mouthguards in their own sports. This has certainly been true of boxers like Joe Calzaghe (2007), Lennox Lewis (1999) Barry McGuigan (1985) and Henry Cooper (1967 and 1970). But they will not have been alone.

Mouthguards have increasingly been used in rugby (Jonny Wilkinson won in 2003 and England’s World Cup winners took the team award) and are important in hockey (especially at short corners), as the 1988 team of the year, the Olympic-winning Great Britain’s men’s hockey team will know only too well.

This may seem less true for this year’s winner, goalkeeper for Manchester United and England’s women’s team Mary Earps. She is far from the first footballer, male or female, to take the award, but it is unusual for goalkeepers to win the biggest prizes (the men’s Ballon d’Or has only ever been won by one goalkeeper). 

Speaking after winning her award, she said this was how she wanted to change the world, remarking: “I’m trying [to make goalkeeping cool]. It’s happening, it’s happening. Slowly but surely – it’s the Merps mission. Goalkeeping is cool!”

However, while her victory may persuade more youngsters, including girls, to take up goalkeeping, it is a position that carries its own injury risks, not least when having to bravely dive at the feet of an opponent to grab the ball, at the peril of a flying boot.

For that reason, some youngsters may appreciate the extra protection that they can get from having protection for their teeth, helping to address a potential deterrent to ongoing participation among girls who will be conscious about their personal appearance.It is the second big prize Earps picked up this year, having earned the Golden Glove for the best goalkeeper in the Women’s World Cup. She saved a penalty in the final, although England still lost 1-0 to Spain.