Heptathlon Athlete Kelly Proper announced as Sportswoman of the Month for July

Heptathlon Athlete, Kelly Proper has today been named The Irish Times / Irish Sports Council 'Sportswoman of the Month' for July 2013. Kelly took athlete of the championships after winning four gold medals at the Woodies DIY National Senior Track and Field Championships at Morton Stadium, Santry.

Kelly Proper, a highly popular Waterford woman, from Ferrybank AC showed her supreme fitness and stamina at this year's Woodies DIY National Championships. After a grueling two day competition, Proper was announced as the athlete of the meet having won the 200m (23.64), long jump (6.25m), 4x100 relay (46.96) and the 100m title in 11.78.

2013 is proving to be a successful year for Proper. In addition to her four gold medals from the National Championships, Kelly won all three of the events she competed in at the All Ireland Senior Indoor Championships in February as well as setting a new Irish record (5,442 points) on her first attempt at an international heptathlon in Italy, running the fastest 200 metres in the competition and producing a season's best in the long jump.

The accolade of winning The Irish Times/Irish Sports Council 'Sportswoman of the Month' means Kelly will be the seventh of 12 sportswomen to be in the running for the prestigious title of 'Sportswoman of the Year' at an awards ceremony in December 2013.

Established in 2004, the aim of the Sportswoman of the Year awards is to recognize the abilities and achievements of women in Irish sports. The awards run over a 12 month period, with the judges selecting a winner each month for her ability to excel at sport. From the 12 monthly winners, the overall Sportswoman of the Year is selected and announced in December. The winner is decided by a judging panel, which is represented by individuals from The Irish Times, RTة, and the Evening Herald.