After another big sporting year in 2014, Sport Wales Chair – and BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year judge - Professor Laura McAllister gives her take on the runners and riders for the Award this year.
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If you know me, you know I’m not someone to shy away from some healthy debate, especially when it comes to Wales’s favourite subject - sport.
We’re all so passionate about sport, both grassroots, in our communities the length and breadth of Wales, and also those individuals and teams that star on the international stage that we hold close to our hearts. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So, as the countdown to Christmas looms, I always know that being part of the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year judging panel will naturally get some debate started with people picking their own top 10 and, in the process, fuelling some healthy debate.
Make no mistake, it’s a very tough task comparing world class athletes and performances across different sports and different competitions. Individual circumstances are all different. Some plough a lone furrow (well that’s not strictly true but you’ll get my point) in their chosen discipline while others step out as part of a team.
With my fellow SPOTY judges, I feel we have made a good job in coming to this impressive shortlist of our top ten.
There might be one or two unfamiliar names on this list to some of you perhaps. But I challenge you to look at their sporting CVs and records and tell me that they are not worthy of their place at the top table of Welsh sport. Any country would be proud of every single one of these fantastic sportspeople.
Jazz Carlin – swimming
Frankie Jones – gymnastics
Gareth Bale – football
Jamie Donaldson – golf
Natalie Powell – judo
Manon Carpenter – cycling
Elinor Barker – cycling
Georgia Davies – swimming
Geraint Thomas – cycling
Rachel James – cycling
Looking back at that shortlist, a few key points resonate with me.
·Seven females and three males. This struck the judges once we’d concluded our deliberations. For me, it is a sign of the absolute depth of talented female sportswomen we are producing in Wales but also the new esteem in which we view these young women. There are not many countries where the sporting gender ‘imbalance’ sways from male domination. We must be doing something right, even if we acknowledge we have more to do to inspire the next generation of girls with these impressive role models
At this point, I must also say I was hugely disappointed that none of these athletes made the Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year shortlist. Some surprising omissions I feel.
·Speaking personally, the backing that Team Wales received at Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games shines through. And why wouldn’t it given the record breaking medal haul of 36, putting us above the home nations and powerhouses such as Australia and New Zealand on the medals per capita table. We give our athletes a unique opportunity to wear the red vest of Wales and they thrive under the pressure and passion of what it means to them and their families.
·Allied to giving our top performers a platform to show their undoubted ability, we must have the systems in place to nurture and grow those with exceptional sporting promise. Making the step to the top of the podium is the end of the story. We have invested in support structures such as coaches, facilities, sports science and medicine, and competition, which all equate to giving the best possible opportunity to our medal winners and champions. It is only with intelligent investment and innovative thinking that we will continue to have such success. That’s why we are reviewing our elite investment as we speak to ensure even greater success in future.
·None of these athletes are retiring any time soon. They are a young and hugely gifted group and have a drive and ambition that sets them apart. They want to be the very best and they are an example to young people of the hard work and dedication that leads to success.
I don’t envy the voting public - any of the ten could win and every one would be a worthy winner.
All I can say is that we have done our bit and I’m now just looking forward to welcoming these fabulous ambassadors for Wales and Welsh sport to our Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff on 8th December for the event….whoever the winner might be.
For more on the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year visit www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/wales/30104905
For more on the Wales Sports Awards visit www.walessportawards.co.uk
