Teesside Uni graduate Beth Mead named Sports Personality of the Year
The forward - from North Yorkshire - was part of the Euro 2022 winning squad
It was a great night for North East athletes at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards last night, with Teesside Uni graduate Beth Mead winning the top accolade.
Beth was announced as the winner of the event’s main category in recognition of her international sporting accomplishments and the impact of her success beyond the world of football. The England Women's Football Team were also crowned Team of the Year.
These latest accolades cap off a fantastic year for Beth, which saw her thrive at the European Championships 2022 with England’s Lionesses, winning Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot as the team made history and lifted its first international trophy.
The Arsenal footballer scored six goals for her country at the competition, which added up to a record-breaking 20 international goals during the 2020/21 season.
Beth was also the runner-up in the Ballon d’Or Feminin, which recognises the best female footballers from across the globe.
Beth, 27, from North Yorkshire, studied BA (Hons) Sports Development at Teesside University and was part of the Elite Athlete Scheme, graduating in 2016.
She has continued to work closely with Teesside University since completing her studies, launching the Beth Mead Scholarship earlier this year to support aspiring female footballers.
The scholarship is supporting four scholars through their studies, providing each of them with a bursary, bespoke support and training from a team of experts, as well as access to one-to-one mentoring from Beth.
Teesside University is also home to a special commemorative plaque, housed in the reception area of the Olympia Building, which celebrates Beth’s success and the University’s role in her development.
Professor Mark Simpson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) at Teesside University, said: “Teesside University is very proud of all that Beth has achieved. She has had an incredible year and the many prestigious accolades she has received are extremely well deserved.
“We join the nation in congratulating her on being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year and look forward to seeing what comes next for Beth in what is already a hugely successful sporting career.”
Durham Cricket's own Ben Stokes, who is currently the England Test Cricket Captain, came in 2nd place.