SJA Award Crowns Memorable Year For Nick Matthew

Nick Matthew has been rewarded for one of his most successful years on the PSA World Tour by winning the Sports Journalists' Association "SJA Committee Award" for Outstanding Achievement in 2013.

The three-time World Squash Champion from Sheffield - who next month reclaims the coveted world number one ranking - received his award at a glittering ceremony sponsored by The National Lottery and held at the Tower of London.

"To be recognised by journalists is one of the highest honours, as it's voted for by people who know about all sports," said Matthew.

"I'm extremely honoured to be awarded the Sports Journalist Association Committee Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2013. It's been an amazing year for me - getting married, becoming World Champion and World No.1, a Sheffield Legend, and now this to cap it off.

"I don't want the year to end! The SJA is a very prestigious association and the award was totally unexpected and a great surprise."

The SJA website later reported: "The 33-year-old Yorkshireman had been delighted just to be invited to our event, and was busily signing copies of his autobiography - the suitably named Sweating Blood - as his name was announced to the audience by SJA vice chair Janine Self as the winner of the Committee Award for winning the squash world title for a third time in four years.

"Matthew's recognition - in large part due to the suggestion of SJA member Rod Gilmour - possibly generated more reaction on Twitter than any other, illustrating that while it remains not an Olympic sport, squash still has a massive following."

Matthew was in distinguished company, joining fellow 2013 SJA Award winners such as Wimbledon tennis champion Andy Murray, yachtsman Sir Ben Ainslie, and athlete Christine Ohuruogu.

Matthew becomes the third PSA member to be recognised by the SJA, following the "Peter Wilson Trophy" (for International Newcomer of the Year) award to Mark Chaloner in 1995, and the "Pat Besford Award" to Peter Nicol in 1998 for 'outstanding sporting performance'.