19 September 2014

The Sunday Times & Sky Sports Sportswomen of the year awards are to be held on 19 November and nominations are now open, so the public can now vote for who they think have been the top sportswomen in 2014.

There is plenty of choice after a record-breaking year for Great Britain & Northern Ireland athletes. There are seven categories to choose from including the accolades of the Sportswoman of the year, Young Sportswoman of the year and Disability Sports Person of the year.

These are just a few names who you may agree deserve your nominations in the various categories at the Sunday Times & Sky Sports Sportswomen of the year awards 2014.

Jo Pavey (coach: Gavin Pavey) inspired the nation after she became the oldest ever European gold medallist in August over the 10,000m. The mum of two completed this great feat following her Commonwealth bronze success for England in the 5000m, so it has been quite a summer for the 40 year old.

Eilidh Child (Malcolm Arnold) was one of the faces of the Commonwealth Games for Scotland and she dealt with the pressure to capture the silver medal in Hampden Park. She became European 400m hurdles champion in August, and has been one of the most consistent British athletes this year, finishing in the top three of every event she has competed in, including a 500m race at the Great CityGames.

Others to add in to the mix include Tiffany Porter (Rana Reider), the European 100m hurdles champion, and now the new British record holder in the event with her 12.51 clocking at the IAAF Continental Cup this month. Jodie Williams (Christine Bowmaker) is another possible candidate after two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships in the 200m. The same applies to Lynsey Sharp (Reider) for earning the same honours in the 800m.

There have been some fantastic displays by our young athletes this year including those of Morgan Lake (Eldon Lake) who became the World Junior Heptathlon and High Jump champion. This double has never been achieved before at the championships. Alongside this, she earned her first call-up to the GB & NI senior team at the European championships where she competed in the high jump at the age of just 17.

Dina Asher-Smith (John Blackie) is another possible contender after her World Junior triumph in the 100m in Eugene. The 18 year old made the final of the 200m at the European Championships setting a new lifetime best along the way. She also received excellent A-level grades during the championships to add to her successful week in Switzerland.

There are multiple suggestions for the Disability Sports Person of the year award after many medal winning displays in Swansea at the IPC European Championships. Hannah Cockcroft (Jenni Banks) secured double gold in the T34 100m and 800m, the latter was a brand new event for the Yorkshire woman this year. Stef Reid (Reider) broke the T44 Long Jump world record this year and won the European title as well. Also, young athletes such as Sammi Kinghorn (Ian Mirfin) impressed. The young Scottish athlete won three gold medals in the T53 classification. Others such as 14 year old Maria Lyle (Henry Gray) and 16 year old Erin McBride (Robert Roberts) also won their first senior gold medals.
 
The women’s 4x100m relay team broke the long-standing British record this year so could be in with a chance for the team of the year award. The quartet broke the record in the Zurich Diamond league, with Asha Philip (Bowmaker), Ashleigh Nelson (Michael Afilaka), Anyika Onuora and Desiree Henry (Both Reider) recording a new best of 42.21.

We have seen the success of our female coaches this year as well, including Paula Dunn, who as Head coach of the GB & NI Para athletics team, oversaw a record-breaking medal haul in Swansea at the IPC European Championships. She admitted it was a risk to select so many young athletes but the decision paid off as many of them won their first major medals alongside the more experienced athletes.

The list is endless, as we have had so many medallists and seen so many great performances by our female athletes this year, so these are just a few suggestions to help you decide who to vote for.

Nominations are now open, so click here to vote now. Voting closes on Tuesday 14 October for all the categories.
 
After the nominations close, a judging panel will draw up a shortlist, and the winners and runners up will be announced live on Sky on Wednesday 19 November.