Times are slowly changing

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD: Together The Irish Times and Mitsubishi Electric have, in a sense, forced women's sport into new territory. The establishment of the Sportswoman of the Year awards has already brought significant changes in how women's sports are covered by the national media, with the 12 monthly winners of the past year bringing their stories and their sports to the public domain in a way that would not normally be expected.

In addressing yesterday's awards lunch in Dublin, the Editor of The Irish Times, Geraldine Kennedy, acknowledged that there was still an imbalance in how sport is covered by all elements of the media. Yet a year on from the start of the awards, times are slowly changing.

"Although slightly apprehensive at the time about launching such an ambitious project, The Irish Times and Mitsubishi Electric were excited and confident these awards would create a real impact in women's sport," said the Editor. "And every one of the award winners here today have earned the right to be honoured and celebrated."

Yet there was, said the Editor, a long way to go before women's sport gets the full recognition it deserves in all segments of the media.

"I believe these awards do send out a message from the paper that, while recognising the imbalance in sports coverage, these awards might go some way towards redressing the issue."

But she added that there was always room to improve the coverage of women's sport.

"Addressing those difficulties in women's sport is an ongoing process that will require patience and perseverance. Increasing the profile of these award winners, and the sports they represent so well, is a big challenge to the sports themselves, and also to newspapers, radio and television."

The Editor also paid special tribute to the Sports Editor of The Irish Times, Malachy Logan. "I must acknowledge that the inspiration for this new award came from Malachy. He was approached by Mitsubishi Electric about 15 months ago, who wanted to get involved in some kind of different sports award.

"He made it clear that a sportswoman awards scheme was the only one he would be interested in, as all other bases were covered."

The essence of yesterday's awards, however, was the recognition of the women who helped make 2004 another exceptional year for Irish sport. Participation by women, said the Editor, was growing across all sports with each passing year, and that was clearly illustrated by the nine different sports that came under the first year's awards.

"Sport - like the editorship of national newspapers - should not be the sole domain of the male sex. These days the stars of camogie, women's football, golf, athletics, etc, can draw huge crowds to national and international events. And that's only right as the skill levels and excitement they generate very often exceed anything on the male side."

She also paid tribute to the judging panel - The Irish Times journalist Mary Hannigan, RTÉ's Greg Allen, Lindie Naughton from the Evening Herald, and Ronan Ó Coisdealbha of TG4 Sport, who together selected all the monthly winners and the overall winner.

"In fairness to the judges I think they have done a remarkable job and I believe I speak on behalf of everyone when I offer you my thanks and appreciation for your efforts."

Adding to those sentiments was the president of Mitsubishi Electric, Fergus Madigan. He started out by paying special tribute to the President, Mrs Mary McAleese, whose attendance yesterday was a testament to the prestige of the awards.

"It is an undeniable fact that Irish women are currently enjoying unparalleled success in all aspects of Irish life today," he said, "and the recognition of their achievement in the sporting arena should be no exception."

It was, added Madigan, a tough job for the judges to select an overall winner.

"The 12 nominees for this award come from varied disciplines in Irish sport and have competed with distinction both on the national and international stage.

"Each one of them is a winner, and I didn't envy the judges job of selecting an overall sportswoman of the year."

In the end though they settled on young champion jockey Cathy Gannon - and yet Madigan made it clear she would be the first of many.

"Today is also a special day because I do believe that with the help of Geraldine Kennedy and our partners The Irish Times we have created an event that will truly be to the forefront of Irish sport for years to come."