The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards are an awards ceremony that takes place annually, organised by The Sunday Times newspaper.
Established in 1988 by the then Editor, Andrew Neil, the Awards are a recognition of the tremendous contribution made by Britain’s most prominent sportswomen. The ceremony, which has been held in various locations across London, is among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar.
Previous winners of the main award, The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, 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 in December 2011.
The Awards are supported by the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport and Sport England.
Sky Sports announced in September 2013 that they would partner the Sunday Times Sportwomen of the Year Awards from 2013 onwards. It was an extension on the channels support of women's sport and their commitment towards its year-round coverage of women's sport.
Previous winners
Previous winners of The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Award are:
2012 The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards
Venue: The Sunday Times offices
Sportswoman of the Year: Jessica Ennis
Young Sportswoman of the Year: Laura Robson and Heather Watson
Olympian of the Year: Katherine Grainger
Paralympian of the Year: Sarah Storey
Young Olympian of the Year: Jade Jones
Young Paralympian of the Year: Ellie Simmonds
Team of the Year: Team pursuit cyclists
Community Award: Di Redfern
Coach of the Year: Jenny Archer
The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration: Claire Lomas
Lifetime Achievement Award: Baroness Sue Campbell
2011 The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year awards
Venue: The Sunday Times offices
Sportswoman of the Year: Sarah Stevenson
Runner-up: Hayley Turner
Team of the Year: Europe's Solheim Cup team, captained by Alison Nicholas
Young Sportswoman of the Year: Lucy Garner
Disabled Sportswoman of the Year: Anne Dunham
2010 The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year awards
Venue: British Olympic Association offices
Sportswoman of the Year: Maggie Alphonsi
Runner-up: Beth Tweddle
Third place: Amy Williams
Team of the Year: Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins
Young Sportswoman of the Year: Francesca Halsall
Disabled Sportswoman of the Year: Danielle Brown
2009 The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year awards
Venue: David Beckham Academy
Sportswoman of the Year: Chrissie Wellington
Runner-up: Jessica Ennis
Third place: Victoria Pendleton
Team of the Year: England women’s cricket team
CCPR Lifetime Achievement Award: Rachael Heyhoe-Flint
Sport England Community Club Volunteer Award: Cathy Rooney
WSFF Sponsorship of the Year: McDonald’s ‘Mums on the Ball’ campaign
Disabled Sportswoman of the Year: Sarah Storey
Sports Businesswoman Award: Karen Earl
UK Sport Young Sportswoman of the Year: Holly Colvin
The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration: Dee Caffari
PE Teacher of the Year Award: Caroline Sidell, South Bromsgrove High, Worcestershire
Sports Leader of the Year: Hope Powell
2008 The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards
Venue: Lord's cricket ground
Sportswoman of the Year: Nicole Cooke
Runner-up: Victoria Pendleton
Third place: Hayley Turner
Team of the Year England women’s cricket team
UK Sport Olympian of the Year: Rebecca Adlington
Paralympian of the Year: Eleanor Simmonds
CCPR Unsung Hero Award: Wendy Coles
David Lloyd Leisure PE Teacher of the Year: Cheryl Buckley (Baxter College, Kidderminster, Worcestershire)
MCC Young Sportswoman of the Year: Laura Robson
Sport England Community Club Volunteer Award: Kay Stokes
The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration: Julie Shard
WSFF Sponsorship of the Year: The Co-operative (Netball Olympic bid)
2007 The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards
Venue: Lord’s cricket ground
Sportswoman of the Year: Victoria Pendleton
Runner-up: Katherine Grainger
Third place: Christine Ohuruogu
Pindar Team of the Year: Arsenal Ladies
Sony Ericsson Lifetime Achievement Award: Billie Jean King
Unsung Hero Award: Cherry Alexander
MCC Young Sportswoman of the Year: Shanaze Reade
The Champions Award: Nicole Arthur
University Sporting Achievement of the Year: Jessica Ennis
PE Teacher of the Year: Helen Finbow (Woodhey High School, Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester)
The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration: Joanna Gardiner, University of Brighton
Sony Ericsson Overseas Sportswoman of the Year Award: Carolina Klüft