2012 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards
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2011 Sunday Times Sportswoman of the year Sarah Stevenson
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The Sunday Times 04 October 2012
The 2012 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards, which are supported by UK Sport, Sport England, the Sport and Recreation Alliance and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, have launched and this is your chance to recognise the sportswomen who excelled throughout Britain’s greatest summer of sport.
Now in their 25th year, the Sportswomen of the Year Awards – among the most influential in the sporting calendar – celebrate the significant and outstanding contributions made by our most prominent elite performers, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational female figures.
This has been a particularly poignant year for British sport and it would not be a surprise if the stellar performances witnessed by millions of people at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games dominate proceedings. Of the record 65 medals achieved by Team GB at the Olympics, British women were involved in 25 of them. The likes of Nicola Adams, Charlotte Dujardin, Jessica Ennis, Katherine Grainger, Jade Jones, Laura Trott and Anna Watkins, to name but a few, all fulfilled childhood dreams by becoming Olympic champions in August.
Then, a few weeks later at the Paralympics, our ladies once more led the way – British female competitors were involved in 19 of the 34 gold medals won by the host nation over the course of 11 days. The likes of Natasha Baker, Sophie Christiansen, Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Sarah Storey all became multiple champions as well as household names.
More so than any other national newspaper, The Sunday Times has led the way since 1988 in recognising the achievements of Britain’s leading sportswomen. Previous winners of the main award – the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year accolade – include Paula Radcliffe, Pippa Funnell, Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes, Zara Phillips and Victoria Pendleton. Sarah Stevenson, the 2011 world Taekwondo champion, was crowned the overall winner last December.
Once again the Awards are supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, Sport England and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF).
UK Sport’s Head of Governance, Amanda Bennett, said: “After such an incredible summer of world class sporting success from our Olympians and Paralympians, UK Sport is proud to support The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards.
“This longstanding event, now in its 25th year, provides a fantastic platform on which to celebrate the achievements of our female athletes and coaches, and keep these fantastic role models at the forefront of the British public’s minds.”
After the online nomination process has closed a judging panel – chaired by the distinguished BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Eleanor Oldroyd – will decide upon the respective shortlists for each of the 10 categories. The winners and runner-ups will be announced at an evening ceremony in London on Thursday November 8.
The 10 award categories are:
The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year
The ultimate accolade for your favourite sportswoman this year
Olympian of the Year
The outstanding figure at the London 2012 Olympic Games
Young Olympian of the Year
The outstanding figure, 21 years of age or younger, at the London 2012 Olympic Games
Paralympian of the Year
The outstanding figure at the London 2012 Paralympic Games
Young Paralympian of the Year
UK Sport award for the outstanding figure, 21 years of age or younger, at the London 2012 Paralympic Games
Team of the Year
Sport and Recreation Alliance award celebrating the achievements of Britain’s successful collective efforts
Coach of the Year
Acknowledging the coaches who, often unpaid and unheralded, have worked tirelessly to nurture the talents of our female athletes
Community Award
Sport England award for individuals who have actively engaged with different groups of women within their community through sport
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognising a lifetime of sporting success
The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration
Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation award recognising inspirational endeavour in honour of the late BBC sports presenter Helen Rollason
