Having just published a story on the cricket pages about the England cricketers being nominated for Team of the Year, in the 2014 Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswomen of the Year Awards, it would be remiss of me not to write about our World Cup winning Rugby Team also being nominated.
After disappointing final losses to New Zealand in 2006 and 2010, Katy McLean’s team beat Canada by 21-9 to win the 2014 World Cup in Paris. It was only the second time England have won the World Cup (the last time was in 1994).
England’s side – many of whom took unpaid leave from their regular jobs to play in the tournament – lifted the trophy in front of a crowd close to the 22,000 capacity of the Stade Jean-Bouin.
The other contenders for the award are; the England Ashes winning cricket team, the Great Britain 4 x 100 athletics relay squad and rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.
The award will be decided by the British public, who have the opportunity to vote online for the leading female sports team of this year. Seven further awards will be decided by an independent panel of judges.
The Awards, in their 27th year, celebrate the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite performers, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational female figures.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on Wednesday 19 November and further details on the event, including how to vote, can be found on the Sky Sports website.
