Beth Mead won the prestigious UK Sports Personality of the Year award. It is the first time a female footballer has won the award.
The Arsenal striker wreaked havoc when England won the football European Championship at home this summer. She became the championship’s top scorer with six goals (of which three against Norway) and five assists, and she was named the play-off’s best player.
She was one of six nominees for the Sports Personality of the Year award, winning the vote ahead of cricketer Ben Stokes and curler Eve Muirhead.
Snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan, gymnast Jessica Gadirova and running star Jake Wightman were also nominated.
- I feel incredibly honored to have won this award, but I couldn’t have done it without the girls on the team. This is a sign that women’s sports are on the right track, said Mead.
The soccer women collected several awards. The EC winners were named team of the year, while national team manager Sarina Wiegman was named coach of the year.
Mead tore his cruciate ligament in November and will have a long break from football.
