Arsenal and England star Beth Mead was voted as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2022 after an incredible year in football. The 27-year-old took to the stage to receive her award with an emotional and tearful speech in front of a packed out crowd, having beaten the likes of Ben Stokes and Ronnie O'Sullivan to the prize.
"I'm incredibly honoured to win this award," Mead began in her acceptance speech. "I'll keep saying it's cliche, but I couldn't have done it without those girls over there [the England team] and the team that have backed me so that I've got this accolade. I did my job, I scored a few goals, but I wouldn't have done it without them and I certainly wouldn't have done it without my dad, my mum and all my family.
"But most of all, this is for women's sport and for women's sport heading in the right direction. So yeah, let's keep pushing girls and let's keep doing the right thing. Thank you."
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Mead's rise to stardom started at Sunderland before she made the move to the Gunners in 2017, making over 100 appearances for the club in five-years. The forward has the all-time most assists in the Women's Super League and cemented her place in history at the UEFA Women's Euros earlier this year.
The 27-year-old found the back of the net often in the competition, winning the Golden Boot, Player of the Tournament and top assist provider, guiding the Lionesses to a first piece of major silverware. A second-placed Ballon d'Or finish came shortly after, before returning to club action with Arsenal.
Mead continued to impress in the WSL and the Champions League, but was dealt a huge blow with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury. It means she is facing months out of action for the Gunners, ending such a monumental year on a low point, despite all her sporting achievements.
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