WIREDGOV

Nominations are now open for this year’s Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswomen of the Year Awards, celebrating the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite performers, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational female figures.

From now until midnight on Monday 4 November, people are invited to make nominations across seven categories, including the Community Award.

The Community Award, supported by Sport England, celebrates individuals who have actively engaged different groups of women within their community through sport.  Last year’s winner, Di Redfern, was recognised for her outstanding work and commitment to get more disabled people riding. 

A lifelong volunteer for Riding for the Disabled, Di started riding sessions with her friend and four ponies for local disabled children in 1970. Often providing tea and transport for the children and young people, the sessions swelled in popularity at the South Bucks Riding for Disabled stables

On winning her award, Di said: “I was totally overwhelmed to receive the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Community Award. The joy on the riders’ faces has meant so much to me over the years and this award is the icing on the cake!”

To nominate someone like Di for the Community Award or for one of the other six categories, visit www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/swoty2013.

Other six categories are:

• The Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year
• Young Sportswoman of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Disability Sports Person of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration

Anyone who makes a nomination is in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the star-studded awards ceremony on 5 December. Nominators will need to be ready to supply their name, contact details, email address and date of birth, together with the names of those they would like to enter for the awards.

Now in its 26^th year this year’s awards are being supported by co-sponsor and broadcaster, Sky Sports, who will broadcast the 5 December awards ceremony. 

The Sportswomen of the Year Awards are also supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation.