Now in their 21st year, the awards, which are the among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar, will be presented at Lord’s cricket ground on Thursday, February 12, 2009. The event is in association with David Lloyd Leisure and is also being sponsored by Sport England, UK Sport, and CCPR. The Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation is also lending its support and is the event’s charity partner.
This year there is more than ever to celebrate thanks to the inspirational success of Team GB’s women athletes at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. Two awards, Olympian of the Year and Paralympian of the Year, have been added this year to recognise these achievements.
As well as celebrating high-profile athletes - previous winners include Victoria Pendleton, Paula Radcliffe, Pippa Funnell, Kelly Holmes and Zara Phillips - the event recognises women at all levels of British sporting life including administrators working tirelessly behind the scenes and PE teachers nurturing future talent.
Over the next few weeks, The Sunday Times is inviting people to nominate a friend, colleague or professional they think deserves special recognition. A panel of judges, chaired by Eleanor Oldroyd, BBC 5 Live sports broadcaster, will decide the winners in each of the ten categories (see Editors’ Notes for the full list of categories and judges).
Nominations close on January 19, 2009 and all readers who nominate will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a pair of tickets to the main event.
The categories are as follows:
Team of the Year
Celebrating the achievements of Britain’s most successful teams
Olympian of the Year
Celebrating the success of Britain’s women athletes at the Beijing Olympic Games
Paralympian of the Year
Celebrating the success of Britain’s women athletes at the Beijing Paralympic Games
Unsung Hero Award
For coaches, administrators and people working behind the scenes who make a difference, at all levels of sport
PE Teacher of the Year
Highlighting the outstanding contribution of those who teach physical education
Young Sportswoman of the Year
Marking the success of Britain’s young sportswomen. Nominees must be under 21 years of age
The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration
Recognising inspirational endeavour
Sportswoman of the Year
The ultimate accolade for your favourite sportswoman of this year
Community Club Volunteer Award
For individuals who have actively engaged with different groups of women within their community through sport
Sponsorship of the Year
For brands that have successfully supported and promoted women’s sport
The judges of The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2008 are Eleanor Oldroyd (chair of panel) BBC 5 Live sports broadcaster, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympian, Jill Douglas, sports broadcaster, Amanda Bennett, Head of Policy at UK Sport, Sue Tibballs, Chief Executive, Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, Caroline Weber, Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Sport England, Di Ellis, Chair of the Amateur Rowing Association, Kathy Tayler, TV presenter and former modern pentathlete ,Miriam Batten, former Olympic silver medallist rower and a consultant for the Youth Sport Trust and the British Olympic Association, Di Stewart, presenter of Sky Sports’ Golf Night, Kate Allenby, Olympic bronze medallist in Sydney 2000, now a PE Teacher and Modern Pentathlon coach.
To register nominations visit www.timesonline.co.uk/sportswomen
Nominations close on January 19, 2009.
