ANOTHER year of fantastic sporting achievements is drawing to a close and it is time for our readers to cast their online votes to crown The Shuttle/Times and News’ Sports Personality of the Year 2009.

Over the last few weeks, we have invited your nominations to help us select our final shortlist of five local sports personalities.

The deadline for nominations has now closed and after much deliberation, our five candidates have been chosen.

Disabled swimmer Claire Cashmore is certainly in the running for the title after making a splash this year.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant year, winning bronze in the 100m breaststroke and teaming up with fellow Brits Heather Frederiksen, Louise Watkin and Stephanie Millward to win gold in the 4x100m medley relay and smash a nine-year-old world record at the IPC European Championships in Iceland.

The University of Leeds student then won her first individual gold medal at the World Short Course Championships in Brazil in the 100m individual medley.

She also scooped gold in the 4x100m relay and added silvers in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley to cap a great year.

Kidderminster driving ace Nathan Freke also got back of track in style by winning the Ginetta G50 Championship.

The 26-year-old successfully balanced running the Century Motorsport team and racing as he won 15 of 28 races and ended the campaign with a 125 point advantage. He clinched the championship in style by winning all three final rounds at Brands Hatch.

Samurai Judo Club’s Sarah Biles has emerged from the conveyor belt of talent this year as another international class performer.

The teenager has enjoyed a consistent year where she has excelled at national and international meetings.

Amongst the highlights, she helped the Midlands team finish third at the National Championships, won gold at the Kent International Open and secured bronze at the British Junior Championships.

Biles has also clinched gold at the West of England Senior Open, but her biggest moment was winning a silver at the UK School Games, which caught the attention of Great Britain selectors.

Kidderminster Victoria CC batsman Craig Wood’s run scoring feats have caught the eye during the summer.

The 24-year-old became a force to be reckoned with when he was moved to the top of the batting order and forged an impressive opening partnership with Matt Pardoe.

He hit 704 runs at an average of 38 in all competitions for the Chester Road side.

He top-scored with 123 against Bromsgrove but his standout moment was the 85 against Kenilworth Wardens, which played a crucial role in helping KVCC end their four-year wait for silverware by clinching the Graham Williamson Trophy.

He also helps co-ordinate the ECB’s Chance to Shine project in north Worcestershire, which coaches hundreds of children from eight-years-old and above at schools.

Stourport archer Steve Harvey is our final candidate after he made a tremendous return to action after a lengthy break.

The 40-year-old won the IFAA European Bowhunter as well as the UK and Ireland Championships.

He secured golds at Tay-y-Coed, Wales, in the team and individual categories at the European finals and recorded two new records in the UK tournament.

Harvey broke his nine-year-old record in the precision event and smashed the standard in the forrester section.

Last year’s winner Kate Walker, gifted young golfer Ben Court, sailor Alison Young, snooker player Lee Page, England cricket team wicketkeeper Steve Davies, world champion kickboxer Drew Neal, swimmer Fran O’Connor and Stourport Hockey goal-machine Phil Lashford were amongst the many contenders considered for the final five after a successful 12 months.

Voting for this year’s award opens on our website this week and will run until midday on Monday, January 11.

One vote per reader is allowed — multiple votes will be discounted.


SEE PICTURES OF SPORTS PERSONALITY 2009 CANDIDATES