SPORTS NETWORK

Who is the award for:

This is the third year we are running this prestigious award, which is designed to recognise the sports network / channel / platform that best covered sport and set the sporting agenda in 2021.

It doesn’t matter if you represent one radio station or a network, a single channel or a portfolio of channels – the sport 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.

Judging criteria:
Judges will be looking for how you serve your particular audience, using original journalism, style and innovation in a consistent manner throughout the year.

The entry:
In the first instance, a 500 word supporting statement should be submitted detailing how your organisation has set the sports agenda in 2021. Each entrant / organisation will then be invited to present a 30 minute pitch to an independent judging panel on Wednesday 16 February 2022. The pitch can be made in person or via video conferencing depending on preference. The pitch can be from one representative, or a number of representatives but you must bring supporting evidence.

Notes:
Judges must be notified if the content you showcase also utilises a content company – you will be judged on how that is enhanced and used.

SPORTS PUNDIT

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

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

The entry:
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 2021. Entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

Notes:
The format for the selection of the winner is the same as previous years. A shortlist will be created by the judges and SJA Members will subsequently be allowed to vote for their preferred winner from that shortlist.

BROADCAST JOURNALIST

Who is the award for:
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).

Judging criteria:
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.

The entry:
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 2021.

Entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

SPORTS PRESENTER

Who is the award for:
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.

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

The entry:
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 2021.

Entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

SPORTS COMMENTATOR

Who is the award for:
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).

Judging criteria:
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.

The entry:
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 2021.

Entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

AUDIO / RADIO SHOW

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

This is intended for a regularly scheduled show or one-off programme or podcast 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.
 

Judging criteria:
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.
 

The entry:
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 2021 and why it is a "must listen".

Entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

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Notes:
Any special one-off event coverage can instead be entered in the “Live event” category

TELEVISION DIGITAL SHOW

Who is the award for:
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.

Judging criteria:
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.

The entry:
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 2021 and why it is a “must-watch”.

Entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

Notes:
Any special one-off event coverage can instead be entered in the “Live event” category.

AUDIO / RADIO DOCUMENTARY

Who is the award for:
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 must
be over 30 minutes in length. 

Judging criteria:
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.

The entry:
Entries should 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. 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 2021.

TELEVISION / DIGITAL DOCUMENTARY

Who is the award for:
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.

Judging criteria:
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.

The entry:
Entries should 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 2021.

AUDIO / RADIO LIVE EVENT COVERAGE

Who is the award for:
This award is designed exclusively for LIVE broadcast radio, or streamed and podcast audio which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the past year.

Entries in this category must be from coverage of ONE event (for example, a single event like the Champions League Final, or one tournament, such as Wimbledon; or a series, like The Ashes). This year it will NOT include season-long coverage, instead, entrants are asked to select a particular event from that coverage (for example, the final day of the Premier League season.) This includes coverage
from a number of outside sources and studio-based live work.

Judging criteria:
Judges will be looking at how entries have used audio techniques to convey the occasion, bringing the event to their listeners in a unique and captivating way.

The entry:
Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total and must be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact their coverage of the event made in 2021.

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

Entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

TELEVISION / DIGITAL EVENT LIVE COVERAGE

Who is the award for:
This award is designed exclusively for LIVE television, or digitally broadcast visual coverage which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the past year.

Judging criteria:
Entries in this category must be from coverage of ONE event (for example, a single event like the Champions League Final, or one tournament, such as Wimbledon; or a series, like The Ashes). This year it will NOT include season-long coverage, instead, entrants are asked to select a particular event from that coverage (for example, the final day of the Premier League season.) This includes coverage
from a number of outside sources and studio-based live work.

The entry:
Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total demonstrating how journalism was used to cover the event in an engaging and unique way. It must be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the impact their coverage of the event made in 2021.

Entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

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.

SPORTS PODCAST

Who is the award for:
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.

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Judging criteria:

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.

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The entry:

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 2021. 

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

YOUTUBE SPORTS SHOW

Who is the award for:
This award is to recognise the YouTube sports show, which, in the opinion of the judges, has made the biggest impact in the past year. This can be a one-off show or series.

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Judging criteria:
Judges will be looking for entries that are creative in the way they entertain, engage and bring new insight to the audience.

The entry:
Entries should consist of a showreel of clips lasting no more than 10 minutes in total. Entries can include a link to the whole series if available online. Entries should also be accompanied by a supporting statement of no more than 150 words, highlighting the way the show has used original journalism to serve their particular audience. 

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

ONES TO WATCH

Who is the award for:
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 2021 and are not previous gold winners of the award.

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

Judging criteria:
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 2021.
 

The entry:
“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 why they feel they have developed in 2021

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“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 / newsgathering skills and 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 2021.

All entrants are politely asked not to exceed the maximum duration or their entry will be deemed null and void.

Notes:
The cost of entering this category is at the reduced rate of £20 regardless of SJA membership.

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The winners of the Ones to Watch category will be announced prior to the awards ceremony via the SJA website. The winners of the gold, silver and bronze awards will each receive a complimentary ticket for themselves and a guest to attend the event on Monday 7 March 2022.

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