Rugby took prominence this year with Kevin Sinfield dedicating his double victory to his inspirational best friend Rob Burrow, following his passing earlier this week. The Extra Mile picked up the Sports Bestseller Award and Overall Sports Book of the Year, with former England Rugby Union captain Lawrence Dallaglio winning The Charles Tyrwhitt Rugby Book of The Year with The Boys of Winter.
2023 Winner Beth Mead built on previous success with a win for the Children’s Sports Book of the Year with Roar.
One of Britain’s best-loved broadcasters, Chris Kamara, was awarded the Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards Autobiography of the Year for his memoir, Kammy.
In the first ceremony held in partnership with new headline sponsor, Charles Tyrwhitt – a menswear brand proud of its history of supporting sports players that uphold its values of excellence and integrity – Kevin Sinfield was awarded both the Bestseller of the Year and Overall Sports Book of the Year Award for The Extra Mile.
An extraordinary bestselling memoir from the sporting icon, The Extra Mile is an inspirational and life-affirming read that explores both Sinfield’s experience as a one-club legend of Leeds Rhinos and defence coach, as well as his recent heroism in raising awareness and funds for motor neurone disease, on behalf of his inspirational best friend, the late Rob Burrow. In an emotional night following Rob Burrow’s passing, Kevin dedicated his double award to the great man: “I dedicate these awards to my little mate Rob Burrow – he was the guy that told me I had to write a book and he certainly inspired The Extra Mile. Rob was a very special man. I wish we were both at the awards together tonight and I miss him dearly.”
Another rugby star, Lawrence Dallaglio, was selected by the Rugby Union Writers’ Club as the winner of The Charles Tyrwhitt Rugby Book of the Year with The Boys of Winter, which captivatingly shares the inside story of England’s triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup. Featuring interviews with all those involved, Dallaglio and his co-writer, Owen Slot, build a definitive account of what will always be remembered as an iconic sporting event.
Beth Mead, previous BBC Sports Personality of the Year and star of the winning team of the UEFA Women's Euros, received yet another Sports Book Award for her empowering children’s book, Roar, which was chosen as 2024’s Children’s Sports Book of the Year. Written with Matt Oldfield, Roar is an inspiring guide, filled with advice and insights, that aims to encourage all children to excel, both on and off the pitch.
On her win, Beth Mead said: ‘Thank you so much for this incredible award. It means so much to me for Roar to be recognised in this way. […] When working on Roar, my hope was that it would inspire children to find their sport and passion, build their confidence, and achieve their potential – on and off of pitch. […] Winning this award is just another example of what you can do when you work hard and dream big.’
One of Britain’s best-loved broadcasters, Chris Kamara, picked up the Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards Autobiography of the Year with Kammy. An unforgettable ride, Kammy is replete with entertaining stories and anecdotes about his experiences, from his management at Bradford City to his glittering presenting career.
All awards were presented at the 22nd Sports Book Awards at a grand awards ceremony hosted by Mark Pougatch and held at the Kia Oval, in the presence of fellow sporting greats, including Dame Kelly Holmes, Lawrence Dallaglio, Brian Lara, Matt Dawson, Chris Kamara, Chris Robshaw, Christine Ohuruogu, Carl Frampton, Maggie Alphonsi, Sharron Davies, Nick Compton and many more.
Commenting on the event, Charles Tyrwhitt’s Chief Marketing Officer, Joe Irons, said: ‘Off the back of our successful partnerships in rugby and cricket, and the great connections we've made with legendary players, we're delighted to be the main sponsor of the 2024 Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards. Being sports fans ourselves, we enjoyed celebrating the best in sports books at the event. It was great to have our ambassador, Matt Dawson, there chatting with the award winners at our pop-up pub, The Tyrwhitt Arms, to capture the atmosphere of the evening’.
Sam Peter’s definitive account of sport’s concussion crisis, Concussed, was awarded the Pinsent Masons Sports Writing Award. This timely and important examination of rugby’s concussion issue details how a British newspaper campaign made this subject front-page news. Raising crucial and pressing questions, Peter examines evidence linking sports-related concussions to premature deaths and dementia increases.
Other Ways to Win by Lee Craigie was awarded The Vikki Orvice Women's Sports Writing Award, in association with DAZN, an award that was created in honour of the late Vikki Orvice – a trailblazing sports journalist who championed female sports writing. As one of Scotland’s great cyclists, adventurers and storytellers, Other Ways to Win tells the epic story of how Craigie discovered the freedom of cycling. With breathtaking honesty, she reflects on her cycling adventures, her ongoing work with the Adventure Syndicate, and the immense power of the outdoors.
Cricket star turned broadcaster, Phil Tufnell, was awarded the Kicking Goat Sports Entertainment Book of the Year with a book that takes readers around the world in an entertaining memoir, The Tourist. Written with John Woodhouse, The Tourist tells tales from his glorious tours around the globe, filled with hilarious cricketing anecdotes in Tufnell’s trademark charm and wit. This year’s second award-winning cricketing book is a definitive history of England’s tours from every angle that was judged to be The Heartaches’ Cricket Book of the Year. In The Tour by Simon Wilde, the incredible team performances and individual feats are celebrated, and tales of misadventure, mishaps and scandal are shared.
The LoveReading Cycling Book of the Year, written by cycling commentator Ned Boulting, is 1923. The journey of this award-winning book began when Boulting found a length of Pathé news film featuring a stage of the Tour de France from 1923 and set about finding out everything he could about the event.
Alan Shipnick’s compelling biography of one of the world’s best golfers, Phil Michelson, Phil, was awarded the Francis Clark Financial Planning International Sports Book of the Year. In this raw biography, Shipnuck captures a life defined by victories, crushing defeats, and countless controversies.
The tale of one of the most iconic games in World Cup history, Italy v Brazil in Spain 1982, is the subject of Piero Trellini’s The Match, which takes readers on a journey through the iconic Mundial. Awarded Titan Wealth Football Book of the Year, in association with the Football Writers’ Association, The Match shares insights and anecdotes about this historic event.
This year, the JP Marland Charitable Trust Illustrated Book of the Year was awarded to Patrick Lennon’s London Irish: 125 Years of Passion in Exile, an exhaustive account of London Irish Rugby, beautifully presented and wonderfully illustrated throughout.
The Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards, in association with The Sunday Times, are grateful to our sponsors and partners, including Charles Tyrwhitt, The Sunday Times, DAZN, National Literacy Trust, Waterstones, The Heartaches, Pinsent Masons, Kicking Goat, The JP Marland Charitable Trust, Titan Wealth, Rugby Union Writers' Club, Football Writers' Association, LoveReading, Francis Clark Financial Planning, Thrive Sports, Surrey County Cricket Club at The Kia Oval, and Agile Ideas.
Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards Autobiography of the Year, in association with The Sunday Times
Kammy, Chris Kamara (Pan Macmillan)
Pinsent Masons Sports Writing Award
Concussed, Sam Peters (Allen & Unwin)
Kicking Goat Sports Entertainment Book of the Year
The Tourist, Phil Tufnell with John Woodhouse (HarperCollins)
The Vikki Orvice Women's Sports Writing Award, in association with DAZN
Other Ways to Win, Lee Craigie (Vertebrate Publishing)
Children’s Sports Book of the Year, supported by National Literacy Trust & Waterstones
Roar, Beth Mead with Matt Oldfield (Wren & Rook)
Francis Clark Financial Planning International Sports Book of the Year
Phil, Alan Shipnuck (Simon & Schuster)
Titan Wealth Football Book of the Year, in association with the Football Writers’ Association
The Match, Piero Trellini (Pitch Publishing)
Charles Tyrwhitt Rugby Book of the Year, in association with the Rugby Union Writers’ Club
The Boys of Winter, Lawrence Dallaglio & Owen Slot (Bonnier Books)
The Heartaches’ Cricket Book of the Year
The Tour, Simon Wilde (Simon & Schuster)
LoveReading Cycling Book of the Year
1923, Ned Boulting (Bloomsbury Sport)
The JP Marland Charitable Trust Illustrated Book of the Year
London Irish: 125 Years of Passion in Exile, Patrick Lennon (Vision Sports Publishing)
Sports Bestseller Award and Overall Sports Book of the Year
The Extra Mile, Kevin Sinfield with Paul Hayward (Century)
