TODAY we continue our countdown to The Gazette Sports Awards in March as I look at the next five sportsmen and sportswomen nominated for the title of The Gazette Sports Personality of the Year.

IAN CALDER - rugby: Basingstoke RFC's influential player-coach was their leading points scorer last season, helping his team get to grips with national rugby and retain the Hampshire Cup. This season has been more problematic for the 38-year-old, who has had to rebuild his side following numerous summer departures.

TERRY FEASEY - athletics: This member of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club picked up a bronze at the AAA indoor Championship in the 800 metres for the second year running. Two months later he was crowned Hampshire champion for the same distance in Portsmouth.

JEAN MATON - powerlifting: In October she picked up four gold medals at the World Masters Championships held in Canada. Earlier in the year she won a European Masters championship as well as a British title, completing a great year for the lifter.

CLAIRE SPREADBURY - bowls: This local teenager had a great 2003, which ended with her being crowned World under-25 indoor bowls champion in Jersey in November, and then she was named in the England squad for the same age group. Earlier in the year she managed to reach the semi-finals of the England under-25 championships in Loddon Vale.

PHIL ROY - ice hockey: The French-Canadian captain of the Basingstoke Bison is a solid defenceman and is proving a real hit with the Bison fans in his first season with the Herd. He also chips in with his fair share of important goals.