The Sports Journalists’ Association tonight honoured the remarkable career of Patrick Eagar, who for 40 years has enjoyed pre-eminence among cricket photographers around the world, from St John’s Wood to Sydney.
The presentation of the Doug Gardner Award was made at the British Sports Journalism Awards, held at a gala dinner, sponsored by UK Sport, staged in London.
The Association’s chairman Barry Newcombe paid tribute to SJA member Eagar, who collected the engraved ink well in front of an audience of nearly 400 reporters, editors and photographers.
“The Doug Gardner Award, named after a former Secretary, is the Sports Journalists’ Association highest honour,” Newcombe said, “presented annually for outstanding services to sports journalism and the Association.”
Past winners of the Doug Gardner Award include Tom Clarke, Ian Wooldridge, Monte Fresco MBE, John Bromley OBE and, last year, Hugh McIlvanney.
“Finding a suitable recipient is not taken lightly by the SJA’s officers,” Newcombe explained.
“That said, the claims of tonight’s recipient are remarkable.
“He has published 13 books, and we reckon that during his career he is well on his way to completing a half-century of overseas tours and knocking up a triple century of Test matches.
“He has also enjoyed the ultimate acclaim, both for himself and his craft, in having his work exhibited at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s , where no-less an authority than the MCC described his photography as capturing ‘many of the most memorable moments in cricket history’.”
UPCOMING SJA DATES
Thu Mar 31: Tour of London’s Olympic Park. Click here for details of how to apply
Tue Apr 5: SJA Olympic Question Time. Ticket booking to be launched in March.
Wed Apr 13: SJA 2011 Annual Meeting, at offices of UK Sport, Russell Square. Strictly SJA members only.
All details subject to alteration. Keep checking sportsjournalists.co.uk for updates