On Sunday, September 29, The Sunday Times and Sky Sports launched the Sportswomen of the Year 2013 Awards with a four-page special in The Sunday Times Sports section, kicking-off the nationwide call for public nominations.

The Awards - now in their 26^th year - celebrate the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite performers, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational female figures.

Over the next five weeks, people are invited to submit nominations for the seven categories at www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/swoty2013

The Awards categories are:

The Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year - The ultimate accolade for your favourite sportswoman of 2013

Young Sportswoman of the Year - Nominees must be 21 or younger on 1 January 2013

Team of the Year - Celebrating the achievements of Britain’s successful collective efforts

Disability Sports Person of the Year - The outstanding figure within a disability sport

Community Award - For individuals who have actively engaged with different groups of women within their community through sport

Lifetime Achievement Award - Recognising a lifetime of sporting success

The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration - Recognising inspirational endeavour in honour of the late sports presenter Helen Rollason

The on-line nomination process will close at midnight on Monday, November 4, 2013. Judging will take place thereafter, with a special star-studded award ceremony planned at Sky Sports’ studio on Thursday, December 5, 2013.

Alex Butler, Sports Editor for The Sunday Times, commented: “The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards have grown in stature since the launch in 1988 and are unique in recognising the phenomenal achievements of women in sport. With Sky Sports now involved as co-sponsor and broadcaster, the event has moved to a new level. Over the coming months, in print in the Sunday Times and on air with Sky Sports – we will celebrate the achievements of 2013 but from today until 4 November we are inviting the public to nominate their sporting heroines from the last nine months.”

Anyone who nominates is in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to attend the Awards show at Sky Sports’ studios 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.

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