EUROPEAN SOLHEIM CUP WINNERS SUNDAY TIMES TEAM OF YEAR

By BETHAN CUTLER
Ladies European Tour Media Manager
Alison Nicholas MBE accepted the award for Team of the Year at last night's The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year awards on behalf of The 2011 European Solheim Cup team.
Europe’s captain received the prestigious accolade at a star-studded reception in London. The award was presented by Lord Coe and Nicholas said: “Once again I'm delighted to accept this award on behalf of the team as it really was a team effort.”
Taekwondo champion Sarah Stevenson was named Sportswoman of the Year for 2011, after a public vote.
Cycling’s Lucy Garner won the Young Sportswoman of the Year award.
Now in their 24th year, the Sportswomen of the Year Awards are among the most prestigious and influential in the British sporting calendar. As well as celebrating high-profile female athletes, with previous winners include Margaret Alphonsi, Paula Radcliffe, Pippa Funnell, Denise Lewis, Dame Kelly Holmes and Zara Phillips, the event recognises women at all levels of British sporting life.
The European Solheim Cup team, who won 15-13 over the United States at Killeen Castle in Co Meath, Ireland, in September, comprised Christel Boeljon, Laura Davies, Sandra Gal, Sophie Gustafson, Caroline Hedwall, Maria Hjorth, Catriona Matthew, Azahara Muñoz, Anna Nordqvist, Suzann Pettersen, Melissa Reid and Karen Stupples.
The team’s last-day 7-5 singles score meant it was a fourth victory from 12 contests since the competition’s inception in 1990.
British members of the European Solheim Cup Team will attend the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in Manchester, on Thursday December 22. The side will be shortlisted for the Team of the Year award, but will face stiff opposition from the England cricket squad.

ANOTHER AWARD FOR ALISON NICHOLAS
Alison Nicholas has also been handed the The Spirit of Sport Award, recognising fair play and those who inspire, by the Sports Journalists’ Association of Great Britain (SJA).
The award was presented in recognition of her incredible achievements as a professional golfer and as an inspirational leader, captaining The 2011 European Solheim Cup team to a 15-13 victory, which she rates as her career highlight.
“I'm thrilled and deeply honoured in receiving this award. This award is as much about the European Solheim Cup Team's victory at Killeen Castle and their incredible spirit,” said Nicholas, at the ceremony in the opulent surroundings of the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden.
Cyclist Mark Cavendish was named the SJA Sportsman of the Year while swimmer Rebecca Adlington took the SJA Sportswoman of the Year.
England batsman Jonathan Trott received the SJA award for Team of the Year on behalf of the England cricket squad. They beat Europe's Solheim Cup-winning women golfers and world champion rowing pair Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins.
The other SJA award winners included golfer Tom Lewis, who won Best International Newcomer; Peter Norfolk, who won the Bill McGowran Trophy for his achievements as an athlete with a disability in wheelchair tennis; Malcolm Arnold (Dai Greene's coach), won the JL Manning Award for his outstanding contribution to sport.
Ironman triathlete Chrissie Wellington won the Pat Besford Trophy for exceptional sporting performance, Taekwondo champion Sarah Stevenson won the SJA Committee Award and England cricket coach Andy Flower earned the SJA President's Award.

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