The winners of The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2019 in association with Vitality have been announced at a star-studded ceremony at the News UK offices at London Bridge.
The prestigious awards, now in their 32nd year, celebrate the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite performers, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational female figures.
 

 
The awards were attended by 200m world champion Dina Asher-Smith, Olympic champions Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh, former World Cup alpine ski racer Chemmy Alcott, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, and the 1980 Olympic silver medal-winning swimmer Sharron Davies, among others.
 
We are delighted to share that 2019’s award winners are:
 
• The 2019 Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year: Dina Asher-Smith (Athletics)
• Team of the Year: England’s Netball Team
• Young Sportswoman of the Year: Khadijah Mellah (Horse Racing)
• Disability Sportswoman of the Year: Alice Tai (Swimming)
• Vitality Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year award: Clare Griffin (Manager, West Wight Sports and Community Centre, Isle of Wight)
• The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration: Jasmin Paris
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Colette Thomson MBE
 
Nick Greenslade, deputy sports editor, The Sunday Times says: “These awards grow more significant with every edition but if ever there was a breakthrough year for women’s sport then it was 2019. We saw this most notably when millions tuned in to cheer on the Lionesses in France and then England’s netball team vie for World Cup glory.
 
Both teams came up agonizingly short of the ultimate prize but their victory, and that of so many others nominated, in awaking the media and the nation to the astonishing array of leading female competitors and their inspiring stories will deliver a legacy more profound than any trophy. The Sunday Times has been proud to showcase their achievements as part of a commitment to women’s sport lasting more than 30 years.”
 
Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Vitality adds: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees in this year’s competition. In the past 12 months we have seen some absolutely fantastic performances across many different disciplines from some very talented sportswomen. It is an absolute privilege to be involved in these awards for the fourth year, honouring and celebrating the achievements of women from grassroots right through to elite athletes. At Vitality, we firmly believe in the power of sport to inspire people to live healthy lives and are committed to raising the profile of women in sport. The female athletes recognised today will inspire many more women to get involved and participating in sport.”
 

• Roll of honour: past winners of The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award