Rowing coach named unsung hero in sport

The coach of Teesside University’s rowing club has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for Unsung Hero in the North East and Cumbria.

Kate O’Sullivan received the prestigious accolade in recognition of the valuable voluntary work she has undertaken to encourage people of all abilities to take part in rowing within the local community.

She recently secured substantial funding from the Stephen Peel Rowing Foundation to establish the Infinity Boat Club, a charity which aims to boost social inclusion by bringing rowing to children from underserved communities in the Tees Valley.

As a winner of the regional Unsung Hero title, Kate has been invited to attend the live Sports Personality of the Year event, now in its 70th year, which celebrates the very best of sport.

The national winner of the Unsung Hero award will be announced on the evening, alongside the winners of the other categories including Team of the Year and Lifetime Achievement.

“It’s been a wild year, and I never thought in a million years I’d be ending it with this award,” smiled Kate.

“I have been watching Sports Personality of the Year for as long as I can remember, so it’s an honour and a privilege to have received the regional title let alone be on the stage at the live ceremony.

“There are so many sporting volunteers out there, and this category is really important in shining a light on the incredible work they do across the country to bring sport to local communities.”

Kate, 60, lives in Darlington and discovered her love of rowing at Leeds University.

She has since taken on various leadership, mentoring and coaching positions at Tees Rowing Club and Teesside University alongside her voluntary work as Deputy Chair of British Rowing.

Sports Personality of the Year will be presented by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott live on BBC One on Tuesday 19 December.

Kate will join famous sporting figures such as Frankie Dettori, Mary Earps and Rory McIlroy, who are also in contention to win an award.

Teesside University graduate and football superstar Beth Mead was named Sports Personality of the Year at the event last year to mark her international accomplishments and the wider impact her success has had on the world.

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