Individual Sporting Role Model award presented to professional boxer Stacey Copeland Photo: Steven Paston/PA Wire

Women’s Sport Trust has announced the winners of this year’s Women’s Sport Trust #BeAGameChanger Awards, celebrating the visionaries and game changers driving the future of women’s sport.

A range of individuals, organisations and initiatives were honoured at the event which took place last night at Troxy, East London.

The award for Individual Sporting Role Model which shines a light on an elite athlete who has used their influence to drive forward women’s sport was presented to footballer turned professional boxer Stacey Copeland. As one of one of only six professional female boxers in the UK, she is passionate about both challenging inequality and celebrating success of women in sport.

Team Sporting Role Model was awarded to the World Cup winning England women’s cricket team. Their win, in front of a sell-out crowd and 1.1 million UK TV viewers, was a watershed moment for the sport, inspiring a whole new generation of players and fans.

The England team celebrate winning the World Cup at Lord’s. Photo ECB

As well as recognising athletes and teams driving forward women’s sport, the #BeAGameChanger Awards also celebrates other individuals, organisations and initiatives that have had a significant impact. Categories include: Ambassador of Women’s Sport; National Governing Body of the Year; Brand / Sponsor Partnership of the Year; Inspiring Initiative – National and Local; Media Initiative of the Year; and Imagery of the Year.

Ambassador of Women’s Sport was awarded to double Olympian and Commonwealth gold and silver medallist and now the most senior black woman in athletics administration Lorna Boothe.

National Governing Body of the Year was awarded to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). In 2017, the ECB made huge strides to make cricket a sport for all.

The Brand / Sponsor Partnership of the Year award which recognises the vital role of investment in raising the profile and increasing the impact of women’s sport was awarded to Investec’s partnership with GB and England Women’s Hockey.

The Inspiring Initiative categories recognises projects that have had a significant impact on progressing women’s sport at both a national and a local level. This year’s National Inspiring Initiative award was presented to England Rugby’s Inner Warrior campaign which aims to encourage more female players into rugby.

The Crawley Old Girls (COGS) Photo:
James Boardman / TELEPHOTO IMAGES

The Local Inspiring Initiative was presented to Crawley Old Girls (COGs) which aims to enable older women to learn to play football.

An award for Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Sport, chosen by Women’s Sport Trust, was presented to former England captain and founding member of the Rugby Football Union for Women Carol Isherwood.

Jo Bostock, Co-founder and Joint CEO of the Women’s Sport Trust commented “Why is the Women’s Sport Trust so committed to running the #BeAGameChanger Awards? Because compelling stories about the trailblazers need to be told. They set the pace and show what’s possible. Most importantly they stimulate other brands, sport and the media to step up and take action. Building this momentum will ensure the future of women’s sport.”

The full list of winners is as follows:

Sporting Role Model – Individual

• Stacey Copeland

Sporting Role Model – Team

• England Women’s Cricket Team

Ambassador of Women’s Sport

• Lorna Boothe

National Governing Body of the Year

• England and Wales Cricket Board

Brand / Sponsor Partnership of the Year

• Investec is ‘Principal Partner of GB and England Women’s Hockey’

Inspiring Initiative – National

• England Rugby’s Inner Warrior campaign 

Inspiring Initiative – Local

• Crawley Old Girls (COGs) 

Media Initiative of the Year

• The Tough Girl Podcast 

Imagery of the Year

• Standing in the Light

Courtesy of the Women’s Sport Trust via We are Disrupt

Source: Ady Kerry / England Hockey

The Women’s Sport Trust #BeAGameChanger awards, supported by Microsoft, will take place on May 14 2015 on London’s South Bank in front of an audience including elite athletes, journalists, businesspeople, politicians, sports leaders and grassroots influencers.

The WST hopes that the awards will showcase women’s sport as an increasingly irresistible proposition by highlighting success stories, connecting decision makers with one another and raising the profile of inspiring role models.

Speaking at the launch event, England footballer Kelly Smith said: “It’s great to be launching the Awards at Wembley, especially after our game here against Germany last year which was a huge moment for women’s football in this country.

“It’s important to celebrate the achievements of women in all areas of sport, including athletes, journalists and everyone that works behind-the-scenes to raise the profile of women’s sport.”

Nominations are now open across seven award categories including sporting role model, sponsorship of the year and inspiring initiative.

Microsoft UK’s Human Resources Director, Theresa McHenry confirmed: “We are delighted to support the work of the Women’s Sport Trust and to be the headline sponsor for the #BeAGameChanger Awards. At Microsoft we are passionate about the development and support of female role models, and these Awards reflect the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations to make a positive change.”

FA Director of the national game and women’s football, Kelly Simmons explained: “The FA is pleased to support the #BeAGameChanger Awards. It’s been an incredibly exciting year for women’s football in England with the Women’s Super League going from strength to strength and the national team attracting a record breaking crowd here at Wembley.

“The FA is committed to supporting women’s sport and the deserved recognition the awards will bring to athletes, leaders, journalists and organisations who continue to make a difference to the sporting landscape.”

You can nominate a game changer here.