Above: Last year's Sunday Times and Sky Sportswoman of the Year, Charlotte Dujardin

The shortlists of finalists have been confirmed for the 2015 Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswomen of the Year Awards in association with Vitality. And there are six leading contenders for the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year accolade.
The Awards, now in their 28th year, have led the way in recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite performers, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational women.

On the evening of Friday November 6, the Awards will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1 and, for the first time, simultaneously on Sky 1.

The top-six shortlist for The Sunday Times & Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year award includes the following outstanding women: Lizzie Armitstead (road cycling), Rachel Atherton (mountain biking), Charlotte Dujardin (dressage), Jessica Ennis-Hill (athletics), Bianca Walkden (taekwondo) and Lizzy Yarnold (skeleton).

Previous winners of the main award, the coveted Sportswoman of the Year accolade, include Sally Gunnell, Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes, Zara Phillips, Victoria Pendleton, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Christine Ohuruogu. Charlotte Dujardin, Olympic and world dressage champion, was crowned the 2014 Sportswoman of the Year.

The shortlist for the Vitality Team of the Year Award will be announced on the Sportswomen programme on Sky Sports News HQ (from 11.30am) on Tuesday October 6. A two-week public vote for the Vitality Team of the Year Award will commence on Sunday October 11.

The Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswomen of the Year Awards in association with Vitality are among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar and are once again supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, Sport England and Women in Sport.

Discover the latest news and get involved by following #SWOTY in the lead up to the Awards.

The shortlist of finalists for 2015:

THE SUNDAY TIMES & SKY SPORTS SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
The ultimate accolade for your favourite Sportswoman of 2015

- Lizzie Armitstead (road cycling)
- Rachel Atherton (mountain biking)
- Charlotte Dujardin (dressage)
- Jessica Ennis-Hill (athletics)
- Bianca Walkden (taekwondo)
- Lizzy Yarnold (skeleton)

YOUNG SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Nominees must have been 21 or younger on January 1, 2015

- Dina Asher-Smith (athletics)
- Rachelle Booth (taekwondo)
- Ellie Downie (artistic gymnastics)
- Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming)

COMMUNITY AWARD
For individuals who have actively engaged with different groups of people within their community through sport. To be voted for exclusively by Vitality members

- Eddie Brocklesby (volunteer director, Silverfit charity, London)
- Liverpool Homeless Football Club (volunteer-run club which supports homeless men and women across Merseyside)
- Wendy Russell (coach, Brighton and Hove hockey club)
- Kay Salter (gymnastics coach, Falcon Spartak gym club, Sidcup, Kent)
- Marnie Swindells (volunteer, Double Jab boxing club, News Cross, south-east London)

The shortlist for the VITALITY TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD will be revealed on Tuesday October 6. Voting will open on Sunday October 11.

The shortlist for the DISABILITY SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR will be revealed towards the end of October.

Winners of the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD and the HELEN ROLLASON AWARD FOR INSPIRATION will be announced on the evening.

Barney Francis, Sky Sports managing director, said:

Congratulations to everyone on the shortlist. The calibre of nominations showed just what another brilliant year of women’s sport it’s been. At Sky Sports, it’s been our biggest ever year, with highlights including the Netball World Cup, Solheim Cup and every ball live of the women’s Ashes. Our commitment continues with coverage of the awards on Sky 1 as well as Sky Sports 1 for the first time.”

Neville Koopowitz, Vitality CEO, said:

Congratulations to all those shortlisted. They are all fantastic role models who are inspiring people to get involved in sport and live a healthy life. We look forward to celebrating their achievements.”