Baroness Campbell given 2012 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award
Subscribe
Sue Campbell
Dermot Kavanagh
Related content
UK Sport 08 November 2012
Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of UK Sport and the Youth Sport Trust, has today (Thursday 8 November) been given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards.
The awards, now in their 25th year, celebrate the successes of British sportswomen and the outstanding contributions made by coaches, administrators and community volunteers.
Baroness Campbell was nominated for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding career in sports leadership, spanning more than 40 years to date, and in particular the role she played in preparing for what may be considered Britain’s greatest ever summer of sport at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Baroness Campbell is a unique and highly regarded figure in British sport who has inspired and touched the lives of thousands of people, adults and children alike, in physical education, coaching, elite sport and international sporting projects across the world.
The Award was presented by Lord Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Speaking at the Awards Ceremony in London this evening (Thursday), Baroness Sue Campbell said: “I am that kid who played sport at school and grew through sport, so I understand how important it is to kids’ lives. I’m driven by the knowledge that PE, sport and elite sport can make people’s lives better.
“This summer of sport was a lifetime of work happening before my eyes. I can’t describe the emotions I felt as I watched it unfold, and I loved the feeling that Great Britain was recognised for just how great she is. I’m passionate about sport in this country and I am passionate about this country. This nation has sport within its DNA.
“We haven’t always given sport the attention it deserves, but I believe in the potential for it to change the lives of young people and I’ll continue to fight that battle for every child in every corner of this country for as long as I am able.”
Culture Secretary Maria Miller, said: “Baroness Sue Campbell has dedicated her life to sport. She has been passionate in championing sport at all levels – from schools and community participation right through to our elite athletes. Her dedication, vision and leadership was a key part of our medal success this summer. Baroness Campbell very much deserves her Sportswomen of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: “On behalf of everyone at UK Sport I would like to congratulate Sue on this truly well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Sue has a real passion for sport and her various leadership roles throughout her career have given her a unique perspective and understanding of sporting landscape from top to bottom. Sue has used this experience to influence, challenge, change and develop strategies and systems with one clear aim; to enhance the lives of others through sport.
“Over the past 10 years Sue has selflessly applied her vision and passion as the inspirational Chair of our team at UK Sport, providing both challenge and support in abundance with every ounce of her energy focused on making a positive difference. The whole team is proud to have worked alongside Sue on the journey that led to the fantastically successful London 2012 Games.”
John Steele, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Sue has a unique leadership style, which combines her experience as a coach with her astute eye for opportunity, and an incredible ability to get the very best out of people regardless of their background or situation.
“Combine this with a drive to get the job done, a passion for developing young people, and a love of all sport and it is little wonder that she has achieved more for sport than anyone else of her generation.”
Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association, said: “The thing you notice about Sue Campbell more than anything else is how, within sport, she has worked with, helped, inspired or advised absolutely everybody. Her influence and knowledge is second to none. That is allied to incredible leadership skills, strategic awareness and a deep rooted passionate desire to do the right thing by sport.
“I have learned and owe so much to Sue and her inspiration and there are many others in sport who would say the same thing. At the end of the most momentous year for British sport, there can be no more appropriate recipient than Sue of this Lifetime Achievement award.”
Peter Keen, Special Advisor for Performance at UK Sport, said: “It could be argued that nobody has made a greater contribution to the British sporting landscape over the past 30 years than Sue Campbell. I have seen at first hand the impact she has made in a plethora of leadership roles and throughout this time she has been an inspiration to me and thousands of other sportspeople. Her unique combination of a warm interpersonal style, selflessness and steely determination makes her a formidable force for good.”
Other awards presented on the night included Sportswoman of the Year to Jessica Ennis, Olympian of the Year to Katherine Grainger and Paralympian of the Year to Sarah Storey.
