The shortlist of finalists have been confirmed for The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2016 in association with Vitality. Six leading contenders have been shortlisted for the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year accolade.

The Awards, now in their 29th year, have led the way in recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite athletes, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational women.

On the evening of Thursday, December 8, the Awards will take place at the News UK headquarters in London Bridge.

The top-six shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year award include the following outstanding women: Nicola Adams (boxing); Charlotte Dujardin (equestrian); Jade Jones (taekwondo); Johanna Konta (tennis); Dame Sarah Storey (track/road cycling); Laura Trott (track cycling)

Previous winners of the main award, the coveted Sportswoman of the Year accolade, include Jessica Ennis-Hill, who won in 2015, and Charlotte Dujardin, Sally Gunnell, Dame Kelly Holmes, Denise Lewis, Christine Ohuruogu, Victoria Pendleton and Zara Phillips.

A three-week public vote for the Community Award commences on Sunday, November 6.

The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards 2016 in association with Vitality are among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar and this year new categories have been added to celebrate the success of our Olympians and Paralympians at the Rio Olympic Games.

The Sportswomen Awards are once again supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, Sport England and Women in Sport.

Eleanor Mills, Editorial Director, The Sunday Times said:

We’re delighted to honour the outstanding sportswomen of the UK and Ireland in our annual sportswomen awards. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our female athletes, especially after the hugely successful Rio Olympics this year. The public vote gives the awards added significance and it’s an excellent shortlist that we’re looking forward to celebrating in the coming weeks.”

Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Vitality, said:

Our congratulations to everyone on the shortlist. In an Olympic and Paralympic year there are always standout individuals, along with the exceptional team performances that we are highlighting with the Vitality Team of the Year award. As well as recognising the achievements of elite sportswomen, the awards also draw well-deserved attention to those people who work tirelessly to support women’s sport in their communities. All those nominated help inspire women of all ages to actively engage in sport and live a healthy life and we look forward to recognising their achievements next month.”

The shortlist of finalists for 2016:

The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year


The ultimate accolade for your favourite Sportswoman of 2016

Nicola Adams (boxing)

Charlotte Dujardin (equestrianism)

Jade Jones (taekwondo)

Johanna Konta (tennis)

Dame Sarah Storey (track and road cycling)

Laura Trott (track cycling)

Vitality Team of the Year

Celebrating the achievements of Britain’s successful collective efforts

4x100m athletics relay squad

GB hockey team

Manchester City women FC

Rowers Helen Glover & Heather Stanning

Team pursuit cycling squad

Olympian of the Year

The outstanding performance from the Rio Olympic Games

Nicola Adams (boxing)

Saskia Clark & Hannah Mills (sailing)

Charlotte Dujardin (equestrian)

Helen Glover & Heather Stanning (rowing)

Jade Jones (taekwondo)

Laura Trott (track cycling)

Paralympian of the Year

The outstanding performance from the Rio Paralympic Games

Natasha Baker (equestrianism)

Kadeena Cox (athletics & track/road cycling)

Sophie Christiansen (equestrianism)

Hannah Cockroft (athletics)

Bethany Firth (swimming)

Dame Sarah Storey (track & road cycling)

Young Sportswoman of the Year

Nominees must have been 21 or younger on January 1, 2016

Catie Munnings (motorsport)

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming)

Ellie Robinson (swimming)

Amy Tinkler (artistic gymnastics)

Community Award

For individuals who have actively engaged with different groups of people within their community through sport

June Adams (head coach, Ecco gymnastics club, Sheffield)

Kirsty Cameron (founder, Ladies Leisurely Cycles Facebook group)

Sue Robertson (founder, Disabled Golf Association)

Lauren Gregory and Rebecca Chumun (volunteers, Run Like A Girl group)

To vote for your favourite Community candidate, please visit:

www.swoty2016.co.uk/vote/community-award

Winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration will be announced on the evening.