William Hill Sports Book of the Year

うぃりあむ・ひるすぽーつ・ぶっく・おぶ・ざ・いやー

Britain's annual sports book award. Organized and sponsored by William Hill, it honors outstanding books on sports.

Sports booksSports writingNonfiction

Established: 1989
Organizer: William Hill (bookmaker)
Category: Nonfiction and Documentary Literature
Selection Method: Open call / Recommendation
Target: Open
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around May
Status: Active

Description

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year is a British annual sports book award established in 1989, sponsored by bookmaker William Hill. The winner receives prize money and a leather-bound copy of the winning book, with prize money also paid to each shortlisted author. Judging is conducted by a panel including sports journalists and former athletes, with the winner typically announced in late November to early December. The list of winners continues from the first edition in 1989, including recent winners such as Lauren Fleshman (2023) and Conor Niland (2024).

Prize

Main Prize: £30,000 prize money for the winner and a leather-bound copy of the winning book. £3,000 awarded to each shortlisted author.
Cash Prize: 30,000 GBP

Leather-bound copy of the winning book
£3,000 to each shortlisted author

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Entry and preliminary selection (longlist)	Preliminary selection by William Hill and organizers (involving editors, publishing professionals, sports journalists)	—	The longlist (if applicable) may be announced on the official website or media.
Shortlist (finalists)	Judging panel (e.g., as of 2020: chair Alyson Rudd, Clarke Carlisle, Katherine Grainger, John Inverdale, Danny Kelly, Mark Lawson, etc.)	—	The shortlist is officially announced, and prize money is paid to each shortlisted author.
Winner selection and award ceremony (final judging)	The above judging panel (chair and members make the final decision)	—	The winner is officially announced typically in late November to early December, with the ceremony held at a venue in London, etc. (previously Waterstones Piccadilly, etc.).

Entry and preliminary selection (longlist)

Judges Preliminary selection by William Hill and organizers (involving editors, publishing professionals, sports journalists)

Announcement The longlist (if applicable) may be announced on the official website or media.

Shortlist (finalists)

Judges Judging panel (e.g., as of 2020: chair Alyson Rudd, Clarke Carlisle, Katherine Grainger, John Inverdale, Danny Kelly, Mark Lawson, etc.)

Announcement The shortlist is officially announced, and prize money is paid to each shortlisted author.

Winner selection and award ceremony (final judging)

Judges The above judging panel (chair and members make the final decision)

Announcement The winner is officially announced typically in late November to early December, with the ceremony held at a venue in London, etc. (previously Waterstones Piccadilly, etc.).

Criteria

Quality of writing (style and expression)
Depth and accuracy of research
Insights and originality on sports
Storytelling and appeal to readers
Literary value and commercial impact

Application Tips

Dos

Collaborate with publishers for official entry (entries typically from publishers)
Prepare clear sample chapters and synopsis, emphasizing theme and originality
Thoroughly verify facts and research, organize sources and materials
Edit and proofread thoroughly, aim for readable structure

Don''ts

Submit unproofread manuscripts or incomplete drafts
Include unsubstantiated claims or misinformation
Focus solely on non-sports related content
Ignore submission guidelines, use wrong format or destination

From Judges

Great sports books combine research and character portrayal—emphasis on factual backing and narrative
Not just a list of facts; demonstrate engaging storytelling for readers
Unique perspectives and new insights are valued in selection