The England Women's Head Coach is named Sports Leader of the Year for 2009

England Women's Head Coach, Hope Powell, has been named the Sunday Times Sports Leader of the Year for 2009.

Powell masterminded her side's route to the Final of the European Championship in the summer, their third consecutive appearance at a major tournament under her stewardship. In addition to this Final appearance, England won the Cyprus Cup in March, seeing off the challenge of France, South Africa, Scotland and Canada in the process.

Clare Connor, Head of Women’s Cricket at the ECB, and Rebecca Gibson, National Women's Boxing Development Manager at the Amateur Boxing Association, were also in the running.

“It's an honour to win this award,” said Powell, “especially given the other sports leaders in my category.

“I'm both delighted and surprised. It's an award not just for me but for Women's football, the staff, the players and everyone behind the scenes who contributes to the sport."

In 2009 the England Women's team won ten of their 16 matches, losing just three times. Their next fixture sees them travel to Turkey on 26 November for their second World Cup Qualifier, after defeating Malta 8-0 in October.