George Groves, who has a much-anticipated re-match with Carl Froch for the world super-middleweight boxing title at Wembley at the end of May, is the next SJA lunch guest in London on Thursday April 3.
Demand for this headline-making lunch is expected to be high, and while the event is open to all working media, priority will be given to SJA members on a first-come, first-served basis.
Attendance at this two-course lunch at The Driver, an exclusive dining club in Kings Cross, costs £20 (including VAT) for SJA members (including associate members). For non-members, the price is £25 (including VAT). With numbers strictly limited, we recommend that you book your place straight away.
The event will begin at 12.30pm, and after an informal lunch, George Groves will be happy to take questions from the floor on an on-the-record basis (unless he specifically asks to go off-the-record on any point, in which case we expect that request to be honoured).
Groves will be an engaging and entertaining guest. Veteran boxing writer Alan Hubbard, who has helped the Association secure Groves as our guest, describes him as, “One of the brightest, most articulate and media-friendly boxers I have encountered.” Groves has dabbled as a stand-up comic and is currently writing a TV sitcom. “There will be some good copy there,” Hubbard suggests.
Froch-Groves II at Wembley sold 60,000 tickets within an hour of going on sale, making it the biggest profressional boxing event in this country in post-war history.
The ending of their first fight was so bitterly controversial that Groves had to win an appeal to the International Boxing Federation for a re-match-because of the referee’s improper handling of the bout.
This SJA lunch represents an outstanding opportunity for feature writers, chief sports writers and correspondents from regional as well as national newspapers and broadcasters for some headline-grabbing copy.
Payment should be made by cheque (payable to “SJA”). Anyone requiring a VAT invoice needs to advise us, and they will be sent such by the Treasurer.
Rights-free images from the event will be made available on request.
All attendees are also expected to make their best efforts to ensure that they make mention of the Sports Journalists’ Association in their published or broadcast reports.
HOW TO BOOK
The SJA lunch will take place in a private room at The Driver dining club, 2-4 Wharfdale Rd, Kings Cross, London N1 9RY, a short walk from Kings Cross mainline railway station and Kings Cross-St Pancras Tube.
Lunch will be served from around 1pm.
Places are expected to be in great demand and will be allocated on a first-come, first-reserved basis, with preference given to SJA members.
The cost is £20 (including VAT) for paid-up SJA members (full and associate members) , and £25 (including VAT) for non-members. All attendees are expected to buy their own drinks.
- Contact Mary Fitzhenry by email to maryfitzhenry@hotmail.co.uk (please indicate if you have other special dietary requirements; these have to be ordered in advance), and write “George Groves lunch” in the subject field of your email.
- Payment, with cheques payable to the SJA, may be made on the day, or can be sent to the Treasurer, Sarah Juggins, 1 Farriers Cottage, Lower Farm, East Winch, King’s Lynn, PE32 1NL.
- Payment may be expected from anyone who books a place but does not attend.
All details are subject to change.
First posted March 21
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UPCOMING SJA EVENTS
Mon Mar 24: SJA British Sports Journalism Awards, Grand Connaught Rooms, London
Thu Apr 10: SJA annual meeting, Old Cock Tavern, Fleet Street
Mon Apr 14: SJA Spring Golf Day: Croham Hurst GC, Surrey. Booking details to be announced