Beth Cobden nets BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award double
Geraint Thomas may have taken home the main prize – but Staffordshire netball ace Beth Cobden was a double winner at last night’s Sports Personality of the Year.
The 25-year-old, who grew up in Heath Hayes and now lives in Lichfield, was part of the England netball side who were crowned Team of the Year and also won Moment of the Year for their buzzer-beating gold medal-winning victory over hosts Australia at the Commonwealth Games.
It was the first time any country other than Australia or New Zealand had won gold and it has inspired 130,000 women to take up the sport.
England captain Ama Agbeze said: “We’re a bit shocked, surprised and happy. It’s been a long journey. It’s taken years and years, we’ve never won a gold medal in a world event before.
“I’ve noticed the stage has lots of trophies, we hope the netball World Cup will be facing the stage. Netball is the ultimate team game.”
It was Tour de France champion Thomas who took home the main award, beating five-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton into second and England captain Harry Kane third.
Gareth Southgate was named Coach of the Year, while Black Country comedian Frank Skinner provided one of the entertainment highlights of the night as he reunited with David Baddiel and the Lightning Seeds for a special rendition of Three Lions at the event held in Birmingham.
