Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year 2008

December 17, 2008

Now in their twenty-first 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 12th February, 2009. The event is in association with David Lloyd Leisure and is 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 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.

Nominations close on 19th January, 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
Paralympian of the Year – celebrating the success of Britain’s women athletes at the 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