TODAY sees the launch of The Gazette Sports Personality of the Year contest for 2007 - and it's your votes that will decide the winner.

A shortlist of 30 names has been drawn up, and now readers can choose the person they think deserves to win one of the most prestigious awards in local sport.

The victor will be announced, and presented with the trophy, at The Gazette Sports Awards night at the Apollo Hotel on Friday, February 29, and will follow in the footsteps of last year's winner, Bison star Doug Sheppard.

The list of local sporting excellence features sportsmen and sportswomen who have done well either as individuals or in a team on the local, national and even international stage.

The 2007 contest is set to be a close one, with local stars excelling across a range of sports, including past winners of the award.

Shaun Udal, the winner in 2002, helped Hampshire to another Lord's final. Other cricketers on the shortlist are Mitchell Stokes, of Hampshire and captain of Basingstoke and North Hants Cricket Club, who had a great year at May's Bounty, brothers Darren and Adam Rouse, and Chris Wood, who was Hampshire's Academy Player of the Year.

In the world of athletics, Charlie Purdue was the first European under-20 woman home in the world cross-country championships after taking Hampshire, southern and England titles at under-17.

Holly Croxford took silver in the 200 metres at the AAA under-20 championships, in addition to two golds in the Hampshire Championships.

Decathlon star Ben Hazell produced a personal best points total in an international in Italy, before defending his English title, while Robert Tobin won individual bronze in the 400m and relay gold in the European indoor championships.

Badminton player Pauline Davis had a great 2007, winning gold, silver and bronze in the World Senior Open at Taiwan.

Last year was also a memorable one for powerlifters Pete Bedford and Andy Bonner, who both won world titles.

On the local football front, Basingstoke Town centre-half Jason Bristow has been a rock at the back, while Rob Watkins is another defender who has impressed.

Skipper and midfielder Steve Laidler leads by example and is a workhorse in the middle of the park.

Another footballer looking for votes is Reading skipper Graeme Murty, who helped the Royals to their best-ever finish in the Premiership last season.

The Basingstoke Bison trio up for your votes are defence giant Eric Braff, enforcer Brad Cruikshank and the club's current top points scorer Greg Chambers.

The Basingstoke RFC players to make the shortlist are Simon Appleby, Karl Buttle and Ross Stirling. Appleby has arguably been 'Stoke's best player so far this season, while Buttle has been in fine try-scoring form and Stirling has also turned in some impressive performances. Another rugby player hoping for votes is former Basingstoke player Tom Rees, now of Wasps and England.

A great hit in the water was swimmer Josh Clinch, who won seven gold medals at the Hampshire championships. Someone else making a splash was diver Tom Owens, who achieved a lifetime-best score in the one-metre springboard in the World University Games.

In the swing in 2007 was golfer Justin Rose, who finished top of the European Order of Merit to cap the best year of his career so far.

Basingstoke boxer Dean Francis was well and truly back in 2007, packing a real punch as he claimed two title belts in the last 12 months.

Top swordsman Ben Peggs was the Public Schools champion and also won fencing titles in Glasgow and Shropshire.

Tennis ace Josh Goodall won the Nottingham Futures title and also the East of England doubles crown.

And last, but by no means least, indoor bowls expert and 2003 winner Claire Spreadbury helped England to the under-25s British Isles title and was runner-up in the triples in the English Women's Indoor Championships.

It is an impressive shortlist - but there can be only one winner.

When you have made your choice, fill in the coupon in your Gazette out on Thursday, January 10, and send it in. The closing date is Friday, February 22.

Vote for your favourite

  • Simon Appleby - rugby
  • Pete Bedford - powerlifting
  • Andy Bonner - powerlifting
  • Eric Braff - ice hockey
  • Jason Bristow - football
  • Karl Buttle - rugby
  • Greg Chambers - ice hockey
  • Josh Clinch - swimming
  • Holly Croxford - athletics
  • Brad Cruikshank - ice hockey
  • Pauline Davis - badminton
  • Dean Francis - boxing
  • Josh Goodall - tennis
  • Ben Hazell - athletics
  • Steve Laidler - football
  • Graeme Murty - football
  • Tom Owens - diving
  • Ben Peggs - fencing
  • Charlie Purdue - athletics
  • Tom Rees - rugby
  • Justin Rose - golf
  • Adam Rouse - cricket
  • Darren Rouse - cricket
  • Claire Spreadbury - indoor bowls
  • Ross Stirling - rugby
  • Mitchell Stokes - cricket
  • Robert Tobin - athletics
  • Shaun Udal - cricket
  • Rob Watkins - football
  • Chris Wood - cricket