Sunday 1 October 2017
Shortlists announced for the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2017 in association with Vitality
The shortlists of finalists have been confirmed for the 2017 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards in association with Vitality, and there are six leading contenders for the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year accolade.
The Awards, now in their 30th year, have led the way in recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite athletes, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational women.
On the evening of Thursday October 26, the Awards will take place at the Hilton London Bankside hotel.
The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix, a channel available to all Sky TV customers (8pm to 9.30pm).
The top-six shortlist for the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award includes the following outstanding women: Elinor Barker (track cycling), Tammy Beaumont (cricket), Elise Christie (short-track speed skating), Johanna Konta (tennis), Jodie Taylor (football) and Bianca Walkden (taekwondo).
Previous winners of the coveted main award include Laura Kenny, who won in 2016, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Charlotte Dujardin, Sally Gunnell, Dame Kelly Holmes, Denise Lewis, Christine Ohuruogu, Victoria Pendleton and Zara Tindall.
Other awards on the night will go to the Young Sportswoman of the Year, the Vitality Team of the Year and the Disabled Sportswoman of the Year. The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration and the Lifetime Achievement Award will also be announced, as will the Community Award which will honour an individual who has actively engaged different groups of people within their community through sport. A two-week public vote for the Community Award commences on Sunday October 1. To vote for your favourite Community candidate, please visit: www.sportswomenoftheyear.com
The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2017 in association with Vitality are among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar and are once again supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, Sport England and Women in Sport.
The shortlist of finalists for 2017:
THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
The ultimate accolade for your favourite Sportswoman of 2017
- Elinor Barker (track cycling)
- Tammy Beaumont (cricket)
- Elise Christie (short-track speed skating)
- Johanna Konta (tennis)
- Jodie Taylor (football)
- Bianca Walkden (taekwondo)
VITALITY TEAM OF THE YEAR
The shortlist for the VITALITY TEAM OF THE YEAR award will be announced on Tuesday October 3 on SportsWomen on Sky Sports News at 11.30am.
YOUNG SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Nominees must have been 21 or younger on January 1, 2017
- Freya Anderson (swimming)
- Ellie Downie (artistic gymnastics)
- Sammi Kinghorn (para-athletics)
- Millie Knight (para-skiing)
DISABLED SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
The outstanding performer in a disability sport
- Hannah Cockroft (athletics)
- Jeanette Chippington (canoeing)
- Sophie Hahn (athletics)
- Emma Wiggs (canoeing)
COMMUNITY AWARD
For individuals who have actively engaged with different groups of people within their community through sport
- Carlton Bolling College girls’ team (cricket)
- Ann Davis (Boccia)
- Margaret Palmer (netball)
- Rashida Salloo (rounders)
To vote for your favourite Community candidate, please visit: www.sportswomenoftheyear.com
Winners of the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD and the HELEN ROLLASON AWARD FOR INSPIRATION will be announced on the evening.
Eleanor Mills, Editorial Director, The Sunday Times said: “The Sunday Times has championed British sportswomen for three decades, both in print and with these awards, so we congratulate all this year's finalists and we look forward to celebrating their achievements."
Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Vitality, said: “Our congratulations to everyone on the shortlist. There have been some standout individuals and exceptional team performances, which we are highlighting with the Vitality Team of the Year award. As well as recognising the achievements of elite sportswomen, the Awards also draw well-deserved attention to those people who work tirelessly to support women’s sport in their communities. All those nominated help inspire women of all ages to actively engage in sport and live a healthy life and we look forward to recognising their achievements later this month.”
Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, said: “It has been a phenomenal year for women’s sport and that is reflected in a highly competitive shortlist, with some standout stories. It’s a source of pride to Sky Sports that a former Sky Sports Scholar Elise Christie is recognised for her fantastic achievements, but every woman on the list has earned her place for outstanding performance. We look forward to reliving the stories on Sky Sports and honouring a range of women across the different categories who have played a huge part in an inspirational year.”
ENDS