Our very own Charlotte Dujardin has made the shortlist for the Sunday Times & Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year once again. She's up against tough opposition from Fran Halsall (swimming), Laura Massaro (squash), Jo Pavey (athletics), Joanna Rowsell (track cycling) and Lizzy Yarnold (skeleton).
Now in their 27th year, the awards celebrate the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite performers, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational female figures. On the evening of Wednesday 19 November the awards will be broadcast live on Sky Sports for the second successive year.
The award winner will be selected by a specially chosen panel but the British public has the opportunity to vote for the leading female sports team of this year.
The shortlist of finalists for 2014:
THE SUNDAY TIMES & SKY SPORTS SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Charlotte Dujardin (dressage)
Fran Halsall (swimming)
Laura Massaro (squash)
Jo Pavey (athletics)
Joanna Rowsell (track cycling)
Lizzy Yarnold (skeleton)
YOUNG SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
(21 years or younger)
Dina Asher-Smith (athletics)
Claudia Fragapane (artistic gymnastics)
Morgan Lake (athletics)
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming)
DISABILITY SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Libby Clegg (athletics)
Kelly Gallagher & guide Charlotte Evans (alpine skiing)
Stephanie Slater (swimming)
Jordanne Whiley (wheelchair tennis)
COMMUNITY AWARD
Emma Brown (member of Hat-Trick Project, Newcastle)
Sue Frett (founder of Surrey branch of the Special Olympics GB)
Esther Matthews (coach at Green Star Canoe Club, Doncaster)
Nicole Napier (sports activities team leader, activeNewham, East London)
The general public can get involved in the awards by voting online for their Team of the Year. A four-team shortlist has been drawn up to celebrate the achievements of Britain’s successful collective efforts including England cricket team, England rugby union team, Great Britain’s 4 x 100m athletics relay squad and rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.
Voting will close at midday on Tuesday 11 November 2014.
#SWOTY
To cast your vote, please visit:
www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/swoty2014
www.skysports.com/sportswomenteamvote
Team of the Year 2014 shortlist
England cricket team
Led superbly by captain Charlotte Edwards, the England cricket team retained the women’s Ashes following a 10-8 points victory over Australia. This was only the third time in 80 years that England had won the Ashes Down Under
England rugby union team
Having lost in the previous three finals, England made amends this year by lifting the rugby World Cup for the first time in 20 years. They beat Canada 21-9 in Paris with top scorer Emily Scarratt playing a starring role in the final
Great Britain 4x100m athletics relay squad
Britain’s leading female sprinters were one of the sporting success stories this summer. They became European champions in Zurich, won bronze at the Glasgow Commonwealths behind Jamaica and Nigeria – and twice broke the 34-year national 4x100m record
Rowers Helen Glover & Heather Stanning
The London Olympic champions Helen Glover and Heather Stanning resumed their partnership this year – and once again it proved to be a winning combination with record-breaking consequences. The long-term rowing partners blitzed the coxless pairs field at the world championship in Amsterdam in August
The Sportswomen of the Year Awards are also supported by the Sunday Times Wine Club, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, Sport England and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation.
Previous winners of the main award, the coveted Sportswoman of the Year accolade:
1988 Olive Jones
1989 Kim Thomas
1990 Denise Smith
1991 Sally Gunnell
1992 Tanni Grey-Thompson
1993 Sally Gunnell
1994 Denise Lewis
1995 Lynn Simpson
1996 Laura Davies
1997 Alison Nicholas
1998 Denise Lewis
1999 Paula Radcliffe
2000 Denise Lewis
2001 Ellen MacArthur
2002 Paula Radcliffe
2003 Pippa Funnell
2004 Dame Kelly Holmes
2005 Zara Phillips
2006 No award
2007 Victoria Pendleton
2008 Nicole Cooke
2009 Chrissie Wellington
2010 Maggie Alphonsi
2011 Sarah Stevenson
2012 Jessica Ennis-Hill
2013 Christine Ohuruogu