Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards in association with Vitality

Nominations open on Sunday for the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards in association with Vitality and the public have been urged to get involved.

Now in their 30th year, the Awards celebrate the outstanding contribution to sport made by elite athletes, coaches, administrators, community volunteers and inspirational women

With the launch comes a nationwide call to put forward the contenders and for the next three weeks, the British and Northern Ireland public are invited to submit their nominations for seven categories at www.sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk.

For the next three weeks, the British and Northern Ireland public are invited to make their nominations for those who have inspired, made a difference and more.

“We’re delighted to be able to honour the outstanding sportswomen of the UK and Ireland in the 30th anniversary of our annual sportswomen awards.<p>"It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our female athletes, and the public vote always gives the awards added significance.”

The online nomination process to recognise those who have inspired, made a difference and more will close at midday on Monday September 25 and a panel of experts will then select the respective shortlists.

The winners will then be revealed at a glitzy ceremony at the Hilton London Bankside hotel on the evening of Thursday October 26.

The seven award categories are.......

The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year 2017 - the ultimate accolade for your favourite Sportswoman of this year

Young Sportswoman of the Year - nominees must have been 21 or younger on January 1, 2017

Vitality Team of the Year - celebrating the achievements of Britain's successful collective efforts

Disability Sportswoman of the Year - the outstanding performer in a disability sport

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

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

Lifetime Achievement Award - recognising a lifetime of sporting success

“We’ve been privileged to partner with these incredible Awards over the last three years.<p>Supporting women in sport is a key focus for us and we hope that by raising awareness through these types of initiatives, and by partnering with inspirational role models such as Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Ellie Simmonds OBE, we can encourage more people to get involved in sport and enjoy the positive changes it can bring to their lives.”

The Sportswomen Awards are among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar and are supported by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK Sport, Sport England and Women in Sport.

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 and Christine Ohuruogu and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill. Laura Kenny, the four-time Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist, was crowned the 2016 Sportswoman of the Year.

"It has been a game-changing year for women's sport and throughout 2017, Sky has been covering fantastic team and individual successes across our channels.<p>"Our support of women's sport has never been stronger and we are looking forward to broadcasting SWOTY and celebrating the achievements of this year's sporting stars."

You can get involved by submitted your nominations at www.sportswomenoftheyear.co.uk while you can keep up to date with all the latest news via #SWOTY2017 in the lead up to the Awards

Live coverage of the ceremony will be available from 8-9.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix, a channel available to all Sky TV customers

The Sky Sports Sportswomen show and Facebook page will build up to the event over the next couple of months