The award, supported by Sport England, was presented to Sue by the Minister for Sport Helen Grant, during a star-studded ceremony in London and broadcast live on Sky Sports 1.
The 75-year-old from Epsom has helped children with learning disabilities for more than 50 years ever since her own son, Jonathan – who she dedicated the award to- first attended the St Philips School for children with intellectual challenges in Chessington.
In 1993, Frett started a local charity called “Reach Out” to help adults with learning disabilities. In 2007, she founded the Surrey branch of the Special Olympics Great Britain. At present, Surrey has 75 athletes in weekly training.
On winning her award, Sue said: “This lovely award is for all my athletes, who are watching at home, especially my own son. It was so important when Jonathan, at the age of 38, found the Special Olympics. It has helped him massively.
“The SOGB is the largest sports organisation in the world. In this country, there are 10,000 athletes in training with 147 clubs. In one week alone, 120 babies are born with a learning disability. It’s important they have someone to look up to. We have to look after these people.
“Sport has been the biggest driver I can find. It allows people to be confident. You can bring someone into sport and within five years they could be living independently.”
Special Olympics Great Britain describe her as the “sort of person that every community needs; the sort of sort that comes around only once-in-a-generation. They add: “Sue has lost count of the number of disabled people that have crossed her path over the years. Not only has she got many into sport but she has helped secure sports equipment through hard work, energy and endeavour.”
Double Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin was named Sunday Times & Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year 2014 after continuing her dominance of the sport over the last 12 months, winning gold medals in the special and freestyle events at the World Equestrian Games. Sochi Olympic skeleton champion, Lizzy Yarnold, was the runner up and middle-distance runner, Jo Pavey, taking third place.
Other winners included emerging gymnasts Claudia Fragapane who was named Young Sportswoman of the Year and the World Cup winning England Rugby Union team who took out Team of the Year. Sport England is investing £750,000 over two years (April 2013 to March 2015) to support the England women’s squad, including their preparation for the World Cup.
Full list of award winners:
- Sportswoman of the Year: Charlotte Dujardin
- Young Sportswoman of the Year: Claudia Fragapane
- Team of the Year: England Rugby Union team
- Disability Sportswoman of the Year: Stephanie Slater
- Community Award: Sue Frett
- Lifetime Achievement Award:Louise Martin
- Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration: Mel Woodards