Belfast Telegraph and Electric Ireland to honour heroes of women’s sport

The monthly gongs recognize the efforts of outstanding Northern Ireland women who champion women’s sport both at home and on the world stage.

With the likes of Bethany Firth, Ciara Mageean and Rebecca Shorten competing on the world stage at the top of their chosen sports, Northern Ireland boasts some exceptional elite athletes. And with an all-time high in the number of participants in women’s club sports, the domestic scene is also flourishing.

Women’s football, with the club scene resuming tomorrow, is bigger and better than ever, Ireland’s hockey players producing at a high level, while the GAA’s Armagh just won the Division Two title in the Ladies’ National Football League.

The Game Changers Awards celebrate elite athletes, amazing amateur talent, coaches and those volunteers who give their time and energy to inspire the next generation of sports stars at all levels.

We’ll select one person each month through the end of the year before we announce the overall winner in January.

The panel of four includes the highly respected footballer Ashley Hutton, who has won 114 caps for Northern Ireland and continues to play for Linfield in the Women’s Premiership, and ice hockey legend Shirley McCay, Ireland’s most capped athlete – male or female – in any sport.

Blues defender Hutton said: “It’s great to have the opportunity to champion women’s sport through the Electric Ireland Game Changer Awards.

“There is so much going on right now, be it at a professional level, at an amateur level or with the volunteers inspiring the new generation. It’s great to be able to celebrate with these awards.

“Women’s sport is doing well at the moment, but we still have to do more. Whether it’s football, rugby, hockey, GAA or whatever sport, it’s important that young girls have female role models to look up to and be inspired by.

“Growing up, my role models were mostly men. That’s starting to change, but there’s still more you can do.

“It’s great to have the Belfast Telegraph and Electric Ireland involved in these awards as sponsorship and media exposure are two important elements in improving women’s sport.”

Ulster Hockey Talent Coach McCay agreed: “It is an honor to be involved with these awards.

“It’s great because it’s an opportunity to recognize and celebrate women who are involved in sport at all levels, not just the players but the coaches and the volunteers who make the sport possible.

“There are so many good things happening locally that go unnoticed. These monthly awards will shed light on those efforts that may go unrecognized. This is a fantastic platform to celebrate women of all ages and backgrounds who are involved in sports.

“It’s amazing to see companies like Electric Ireland and the Belfast Telegraph coming on board and pushing and promoting women’s sport in Northern Ireland.”

Awards sponsors Electric Ireland have become synonymous with women’s sport over the past decade. Electric Ireland sponsorship specialist Anne Smyth believes the monthly Game Changers Awards is another fantastic way for her company to be at the forefront of promoting women’s sport.

She says: “Electric Ireland is firmly committed to the advancement of women in sport at all levels in Northern Ireland and we are delighted to partner with the Belfast Telegraph for the Game Changers Awards 2023.

“This partnership serves as an opportunity to celebrate the groundbreaking work of individuals both on and off the field, to recognize the positive impact they have had on their local communities and the broader sporting landscape, and to help support the advancement of women’s sport. ”

Belfast Telegraph Director of Sport Paul Ferguson said: “The Belfast Telegraph is delighted to once again be working with our friends at Electric Ireland to give Northern Irish women sportspeople the platform and attention they deserve.

“Together with the monthly Game Changers Awards, every Saturday in the Belfast Telegraph and online at www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk we will profile, celebrate and defend the incredible achievements and heroics of our female athletes from Northern Ireland – whether elite, amateur, home or abroad.

“We will chronicle the hard work, dedication and sacrifices – and tell the stories behind the headlines. And we will focus on our inspirational athletes who have dreams and aspirations to achieve national dominance or represent Northern Ireland to a global audience.

“The coaches and volunteers who play such a pivotal role will also be in our spotlight.

“And each month we have the opportunity to celebrate the excellence of women in sport through our Game Changers Awards.”

Do you know an inspirational woman who is changing the game in Northern Irish sport?

Whether it’s on the field, in a boxing ring, on the track, or in a pool, we want to hear the many stories of people working to transform women’s sport in our communities.

The individual can work with a single sport as part of a cross-sport initiative and be part of a charity, public sector, private or voluntary organisation.

Visit www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/gamechangers to make a nomination.