SPORTS CONTENT ORGANISATION

This award is for the organisation that best covered sport in 2024.

Judges will be looking for how organisations serve their audience, using original journalism, style and innovation.

This category is open to organisations across all platforms, this can be a single publication/outlet or a portfolio. The sports coverage your organisation presents in whichever format will be judged on an individual basis. It is about how you serve your audience and showcase sport in different ways.

Entries should focus on how you believe your organisation has shaped the sporting agenda, this can be in the form of breaking news, big-hitting interviews, exclusive content or captivating storytelling.

Entries should consist of an up to 500-word citation focusing on how your organisation demonstrates journalistic excellence with links to content that illustrates this.

A panel of judges will select a shortlist, organisations will then be invited to a Q & A either in person or online.

AUDIO DOCUMENTARY

This award is to recognise the broadcast radio, or streamed and podcast audio documentary/programme, which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the past year. 

This could be a documentary or long form factual feature/programme or series that demonstrates compelling storytelling. It could be on a specific individual, or past/ present event or investigative work such as an exposé. It can include standalone recorded programmes and documentary segments presented as part of a studio discussion or a single interview, where this has particular merit, but the aired programme must have been over 30 minutes in length. 

Judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate compelling audio with untold stories or aspects of familiar stories not heard before. The winner will captivate listeners with in depth original journalism told in a unique way. 

Entries must consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 30 minutes in total. If it is a series, you can choose to select 30 minutes from one programme, or a selection of clips from the series totalling no more than 30 minutes. In addition entries can include a link to the whole documentary or documentary series if available online, please note this needs to be accessible to judges if behind a paywall. Entries should also be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact the documentary made in 2024. 

Please include track listings with your entry for judges to follow (not included in the 150 word supporting statement).

AUDIO LIVE EVENT COVERAGE

This award is designed exclusively for live broadcast radio or streamed audio which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the last year. 

Entries to this category should be from one event (for example, a single event like a Boxing Match, a competition such as the Premier League, or a tournament such as the Women’s World Cup or Wimbledon). 

The entry can consist of live coverage from the event, supporting coverage during other live programming such as preview, review and colour audio and breaking news. 

The judges will be looking at how the entries have used innovative and creative audio techniques and employed robust journalism to bring the occasion to their listeners. 

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 15 minutes in total and must be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 250 words, highlighting the impact their coverage of the event made in 2024.

Please also include a track listing for judges to follow (not included in the 250 word supporting statement).

Notes: Where the broadcast signal or multi-lateral coverage is generated by a “host broadcaster” - for example at a World Cup or Olympic Games - the entry should demonstrate how they have enhanced the core material.

AUDIO SHOW

This award is to recognise the broadcast radio, or streamed audio show, which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the past year. 

This is intended for a regularly scheduled show that uses the power of analysis, commentary, journalism and conversation to cover sport in a captivating and entertaining way for their audience. 

This is a team award for presentation and production staff involved in the show’s original content and ideas.

Judges will be looking for the show to demonstrate good journalism and analysis for its target audience. The winner will be the show that has generated stories and content that have made an impact in the past year, using new and innovative ways of covering sport.

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total. 
 

Entries must be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact the show has made in 2024 and why it is a must listen. 

Please also include a track listing for judges to follow (not included in the 150 word supporting statement). 

BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE

This  award  is  for  significant  breaking  news.  The  sort  of  news  which  requires organisations to rip up their diaries and focus all resources into covering that topic; for example a shock sacking, an unexpected death or crowd issues at a major sporting event.

Entries should consist of an up to 500-word citation focusing on how your organisation demonstrated quick action and journalistic excellence. 

Entries in this category can be from written media, broadcast media, or a combination of both. Entries can consist of up to three published reports and/or features and a showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total.

BROADCAST JOURNALIST

This award is to recognise the radio, audio, television or digital journalist who, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact of the year. 

This award recognises outstanding journalism and is intended for sports news correspondents and reporters who have broken stories and gathered original content for either rolling news channels, documentaries or interviews (sit-down and/or post-match).

Entrants will be judged on delivery and quality of journalism. The context of production pressures will be taken into account; for example turn-around time and the conditions under which a story is presented/produced. 

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 5 minutes in total and accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting how they’ve set the sports agenda in 2024.

COMMENTATOR

This award is to recognise the radio, audio, television or digital commentator who, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the year. 

This is intended only for commentators who deliver “play by play” descriptions and whose work appears in live programmes and/or highlights programmes (providing the commentary is delivered live and not dubbed after the event). 

Judges will be looking for the entrant to demonstrate their range and depth, and ability to interpret the action in a compelling, fluent and accessible way for their audience. 

Entries can include both sporting competition and related sporting events such as opening / closing ceremonies. It must only include commentary, not presentation, but may consist of a single sport, or range of sports.

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 5 minutes in total and be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact they’ve made in 2024. 

CONTENT AGENCY

This award is to recognise organisations who have produced sports content for clients across any format; broadcast, photography, digital, video, written, audio and social.

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This award recognises the original news gathering and journalist excellence of agencies who provide first class content to support outlets. 

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Entries should consist of an up to 500-word citation detailing the type of your organisation’s output, the reach of your content, how you have you shown innovation in the last 12 months and how you believe you have delivered journalistic excellence across 2024. Entries must include examples via links and supporting documents.  
 

CONTENT CREATOR

This award is to recognise the creator who delivered consistently engaging, entertaining and informative content in 2024.
Judges will be looking for creative journalism, audience engagement, innovative storytelling and how the creator has reached new audiences.

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 5 minutes in total and accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact they’ve made in 2024.

CONTENT CREATOR EXCLUSIVE

This award is to recognise the exclusive from non-traditional media that made the most impact.   
This category is FREE to enter. Entrants should enter the exclusive along with any relevant details they wish to share about how they got it. 

This category will be judged by a specialist panel who will deliberate on all entered entries as well as being able to include non-entered exclusives if necessary.

DATA JOURNALIST                                    

This award recognises the best portfolio of work utilising sports data.

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With audiences more informed than ever, sports data and the creative storytelling around it has brought to the forefront new ways of connecting with audiences.

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Judges will be looking for data journalism that gives the audience fresh insight and displays complex information in ways that are interesting are easy to visualise. 

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Entries in this category can be from written media, broadcast media, or a combination of both. Entries can consist of up to three published reports and/or features and a show showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total.

PUNDIT

This award is to recognise the pundit, summariser, studio analyst or guest whose work has most impressed the judges in the past year. 

They will be judged on tone, expertise and delivery as well as connection to their audience. 

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 5 minutes in total and accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the pundits’ broadcasting achievements in 2024. 

PODCAST

This award is to recognise the sports podcast, which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the past year. This is intended for a regularly scheduled podcast or podcast series (minimum of three episodes) that uses insightful analysis, gripping interviews or light-hearted humour to cover sport in a captivating and entertaining way. 

Judges will be looking for entries that entertain and engage the audience over the course of the podcast. The winner will be the podcast that is informative as well as entertaining.

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 30 minutes in total. 
 

Entries can include a link to the whole podcast if available online, please note this needs to be accessible to judges if behind a paywall.

Entries should also be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact the podcast made in 2024. 

Please also include a track listing for judges to follow (not included in the 150 word supporting statement).

PRESENTER

This award is to recognise the radio, audio, television or digital presenter / presenters who, in the opinion of the judges, has/have made the biggest impact in the year. 

It is intended for presenters who anchor programmes, live events, discussions or shows. 

Entrants will be judged on their delivery, range, versatility and connection to their audience. 
 

The entry can include studio-based and/or on-location work. Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 5 minutes in total and be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting how they have made an impact in 2024.

SCOOP

The single sports news story judged to have made the greatest impact. This category is FREE to enter. Entrants should enter the scoop along with any relevant details they wish to share about how they got it. Scoops can come from written or broadcast media.

This category will be judged by a specialist panel who will deliberate on all entered entries as well as being able to include non-entered scoops if necessary

SPORT FOR CHANGE JOURNALISM

This award recognises the best portfolio of work focusing on social and environmental issues. Judges will be looking for journalism that shines a light on inequality, diversity & inclusion and environmental challenges.

Entries in this category can be from written media, broadcast media, or a combination of both. Entries can consist of up to three published reports and/or features and a show showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total.

SPORTS SUMMARISER

This award is to recognise the journalist who has an ability to disseminate breaking news - often complex - in a way that allows the audience to understand and engage immediately. 

Entries in this category can be from written media, broadcast media, or a combination of both. Entries can consist of up to three published reports and/or features and a show showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total.
 

Note: Entrants in this category cannot also enter News Reporter or Broadcast Journalist.

TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY

This award is to recognise the television, or digitally broadcast visual documentary/ programme, which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the past year. 

This  category  is  intended  for  documentary  films,  features,  interviews,  special investigations and other feature reports that demonstrate in depth original journalism. It  could  be  on  a  specific  individual,  or  past/present  event  or investigative work such as an exposé. It can include standalone recorded programmes and documentary segments presented as part of a studio discussion or a single interview, where this has particular merit.

 
Judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate compelling television with untold stories or aspects of familiar stories not heard before. The winner will captivate viewers with in depth original journalism told in a unique way.

Entries must consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 30 minutes in total. 
 

Entries can include a link to the whole documentary or documentary series if available online, please note this needs to be accessible to judges if behind a paywall. 

Entries should also be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words,highlighting the impact the documentary made in 2024.

Please also include a clip listing for judges to follow (not included in the 150 word supporting statement).

TELEVISION LIVE EVENT COVERAGE

This award is designed exclusively for live broadcast television or digitally broadcast coverage which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the last year.  

Entries to this category should be from one event (for example, a single event like a Boxing Match, a competition such as the Premier League, or a tournament such as the Women’s World Cup or Wimbledon). 

The entry can consist of live coverage from the event, supporting coverage during other live programming such as preview, review and breaking news. 

The judges will be looking at how the entries have used innovative and creative visual techniques and employed robust journalism to bring the occasion to their viewers. 

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 15 minutes in total and must be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 250 words, highlighting the impact their coverage of the event made in 2024.

Please also include a track listing for judges to follow (not included in the 250 word supporting statement).

Notes: Where the broadcast signal or multi-lateral coverage is generated by a “host broadcaster” - for example at a World Cup or Olympic Games - the entry should demonstrate how they have enhanced the core material.

TELEVISION SHOW

This award is to recognise the television, or digital show, which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the past year. 

This is intended for a regularly scheduled show, in a magazine-style, highlights or one-off programme format that uses the power of analysis, commentary, journalism and conversation to cover sport in a captivating and entertaining way for their audience. 

This is a team award for presentation and production staff involved in the show’s original content and ideas.

Judges will be looking for the show to demonstrate good journalism and analysis for its target audience. The winner will be the show that has generated stories and content that has made an impact in the past year, using new and innovative ways of covering sport.

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total. 
 

Entries must be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact the show has made in 2024 and why it is a “must-watch”. 

Please also include a clip listing for judges to follow (not included in the 150 word supporting statement). 

WOMEN’S SPORT JOURNALIST

Open to journalists specialising in women’s sport. Entries in this category can be from written media, broadcast media, or a combination of both. Entries can consist of up to three published reports and/or features and a show showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL 

This award is to recognise the YouTube Channel of the Year.

Judges will be looking for entries that entertain and engage the audience. The winner will be the channel that offers variety and is informative as well as entertaining.

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 30 minutes in total. Entries should also be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact the channel made in 2024.

YOUTUBE NEWCOMER 

This award is to recognise the YouTube channel, show or individual of the year that burst onto the scene in 2024.

Judges will be looking for entries that entertain and engage the audience. The winner will be the channel, show or individual that is informative as well as entertaining.

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 30 minutes in total. Entries should also be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact the channel, show or individual made in 2024.

YOUTUBE SHOW 

This award is to recognise the YouTube Show of the Year. This can be a single show or series of shows. 

Judges will be looking for entries that entertain and engage the audience. The winner will be a channel, show or series that is informative as well as entertaining. 

Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 30 minutes in total. Entries should also be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact the show made in 2024.

ONES TO WATCH – BROADCAST

This category is split into two awards - there will be an “on air” winner and an “off air” winner. 

This is open to journalists working within broadcasting/digital media who are aged 30 and under on 31st December 2024, or those with less than two years industry experience. and are not previous gold winners of the award. Previous gold winners are not eligible to enter.

“On Air” entries are for radio / audio / television / digital presenters or reporters who 
have made an impactful contribution to an organisation’s output.
 

“Off Air” entries are for radio/audio/television/digital journalists, editors or other production staff members who have made an impactful contribution to an organisation’s output.

Judges will look at the entrants portfolio of work, journalistic skills, time in the industry and impact they’ve had in their chosen field in 2024.

“On Air” - Entries should consist of at least three clips in a showreel format lasting no more than 5 minutes in total. It should demonstrate the entrant’s broadcasting ability and journalism. This should be accompanied by a supporting statement from the entrant of no more than 500 words detailing how and how they feel they have developed in 2024. 
 

“Off Air” - Entries should consist of examples of work in a showreel format lasting no more than 5 minutes in total (if relevant). It should demonstrate the entrant’s production, journalism and/or editing/news gathering skills. This should be 
accompanied by a supporting statement from the entrant of no more than 500 words detailing how and why they feel they have developed in 2024.

Note: The winners of the Ones to Watch categories will be announced prior to the awards ceremony via the SJA website. The winners will receive a complimentary ticket to attend the event on Monday 24 March 2025.