Derek Beaumont throws support behind Keely Hodgkinson and Wigan Warriors ahead of BBC SPOTY

[josie andrews]

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has thrown his support behind Keely Hodgkinson and his side’s rivals Wigan Warriors ahead of Tuesday’s Sports Personality of the Year.

A shortlist of six contenders for the main prize was announced earlier this month, including Keely Hodkinson. She has been nominated for Sports Personality of the Year 2024 alongside footballer Jude Bellingham, darts player Luke Littler, cricketer Joe Root, Para-cyclist Sarah Storey and triathlete Alex Yee.

The 22-year-old from Atherton – who is trained by Wigan duo Trevor Painter and his wife, Jenny Meadows - is the favourite to claim the prize after winning 800 metres gold in Paris in the summer as part of a brilliant year.

Beaumont said: “It’s fantastic that Keely has been nominated for Sports Personality of the Year, something I would be delighted to see her achieve.

“She is such a great ambassador for young people, has a great image and a vibrant and fun personality.

“What she has achieved at such a young age is incredible and I was privileged to be able to watch her live in Paris.

“I will be voting for her and hope all our townsfolk do as well.”

Meanwhile, it is hoped that Wigan Warriors will be recognised at this year’s event, held at MediaCityUK in Salford, after Matt Peet’s outfit claimed an unprecedented Grand Slam across the 2024 campaign – lifting the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League trophy.

Wigan became the first rugby league outfit to be recognised at the prestigious awards in 1994, before St Helens received the team of the year honours in 2006.

A panel chaired by the BBC's director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, and consisting of representatives from the world of sport, decided the shortlist for the main prize and the World Sport Star award, and also decided the winner of Team and Coach of the Year.

The Leigh Leopards owner continued: “I’d also really like to wish our neighbours and rivals Wigan Warriors the best of luck in the Team of the Year category.

“We had a great time at last year’s awards, after being nominated ourselves and hope Wigan enjoy it as much as we did and can bring another honour back to our borough.”



https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ty-4912103

[ian.birchall]

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has thrown his support behind Keely Hodgkinson and his side’s rivals Wigan Warriors ahead of Tuesday’s Sports Personality of the Year.

A shortlist of six contenders for the main prize was announced earlier this month, including Keely Hodkinson. She has been nominated for Sports Personality of the Year 2024 alongside footballer Jude Bellingham, darts player Luke Littler, cricketer Joe Root, Para-cyclist Sarah Storey and triathlete Alex Yee.

The 22-year-old from Atherton – who is trained by Wigan duo Trevor Painter and his wife, Jenny Meadows - is the favourite to claim the prize after winning 800 metres gold in Paris in the summer as part of a brilliant year.

Beaumont said: “It’s fantastic that Keely has been nominated for Sports Personality of the Year, something I would be delighted to see her achieve.

“She is such a great ambassador for young people, has a great image and a vibrant and fun personality.

“What she has achieved at such a young age is incredible and I was privileged to be able to watch her live in Paris.

“I will be voting for her and hope all our townsfolk do as well.”

Meanwhile, it is hoped that Wigan Warriors will be recognised at this year’s event, held at MediaCityUK in Salford, after Matt Peet’s outfit claimed an unprecedented Grand Slam across the 2024 campaign – lifting the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League trophy.

Wigan became the first rugby league outfit to be recognised at the prestigious awards in 1994, before St Helens received the team of the year honours in 2006.

A panel chaired by the BBC's director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, and consisting of representatives from the world of sport, decided the shortlist for the main prize and the World Sport Star award, and also decided the winner of Team and Coach of the Year.

The Leigh Leopards owner continued: “I’d also really like to wish our neighbours and rivals Wigan Warriors the best of luck in the Team of the Year category.

“We had a great time at last year’s awards, after being nominated ourselves and hope Wigan enjoy it as much as we did and can bring another honour back to our borough.”



https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ty-4912103

Yes we don’t want the St Helens/Widnes darts player winning.

[josie andrews]

I’ve voted for Keeley Hodgkinson

[widdenoldboy]

I’ve voted for Keeley Hodgkinson

[moto748]

So tell me guys; did I miss out? I was under the impression that was an award for Team Of The Year, and the Warriors were in line to win it, so I put SPOTY on the TV, but had the sounded muted most of the time, and wasn't giving it my full attention. But I listened to the end, and the big award (and quite right too! ), but no mention. So I turned to the BBC Sport website when the programme ended, and there was Wigan as the team winners, and a full one minute fifteen seconds of video coverage. Was that brief sliver in the broadcast programme and I missed it?

[Firestarter]

Its scandalous that luke littler gets put in the frame ahead of luke humphries

[Ipinwigan]

Its scandalous that luke littler gets put in the frame ahead of luke humphries

It's because he has raised the profile of the "pub game" and if you asked Joe Bloggs to name a darts player, they would probably say Luke Littler.

A bit like if you asked Joe Bloggs to name a Rugby League player, they would probably say Martin Offiah, but IMG are going to change all that, NOT.

[jobo]

I’ve voted for Keeley Hodgkinson

[endoman]

So tell me guys; did I miss out? I was under the impression that was an award for Team Of The Year, and the Warriors were in line to win it, so I put SPOTY on the TV, but had the sounded muted most of the time, and wasn't giving it my full attention. But I listened to the end, and the big award (and quite right too! ), but no mention. So I turned to the BBC Sport website when the programme ended, and there was Wigan as the team winners, and a full one minute fifteen seconds of video coverage. Was that brief sliver in the broadcast programme and I missed it?

Watch again, there was decent sized segment purely about Wigan, look out for Michel Roux.

[moto748]

Yeah, I just watched that on WiganTV.