Calling budding sports writers…entries are open for the David Welch Student Sportswriter of the Year competition.
The competition was launched in 2012 in memory of Welch, innovative former sports editor of the Daily Telegraph, and is regarded as the gold standard of student sports writing.
Three finalists and guest will be invited to attend the British Sports Journalism Awards at the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza on Monday, February 26.
The winner will be acknowledged in The Telegraph, have one of their submissions published on the The Telegraph website and will be offered a week’s unpaid work experience at the paper, including the opportunity to attend a sports event to write their own report, accompanied by one of the staff journalists.
Last year’s winner, Katie Smith, has gone on to work for The Telegraph and the BBC.
‘The closest I’d come to sports journalism was an unfortunate encounter with Alistair Brownlee in a nightclub where I thought it would be a great idea to approach him dressed as a banana’
She said: “I entered the David Welch competition with no real intention of becoming a sportswriter. Apart from writing essays for my degree in English and dabbling in student radio, the closest I’d come to sports journalism was an unfortunate encounter with Alistair Brownlee in a nightclub where I thought it would be a great idea to approach him dressed as a banana.
“Winning has truly changed my plans and life completely. On the night of the awards ceremony, I got to meet a host of talented and important people within all fields of sports journalism which led directly on to opportunities to shadow Eleanor Oldroyd at BBC 5Live (who won SJA broadcaster of the year), work experience at The Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph, BBC and paid writing commissions for a selection of publications.
“Having the backing of an SJA award convinced me that sports journalism was a viable career option and I now freelance at the Telegraph and BBC radio and can’t imagine how that would have happened without the award.
“The SJAs are taken very seriously within the industry so if you’re looking to break through, this is one way to get noticed immediately.”
The competition is open to all students aged between 16-25 currently in full-time education at school, college or university. The closing date is Sunday, February 4.
All entrants must submit three pieces of writing no longer than 600 words each, including one on women’s sport. For full details of what is required please go to the official website HERE.
The Alzheimer’s Society is our charity partner for the British Sports Awards and the British Sports Journalism Awards.
Unite now – text UNITE to 70677 to donate £3 a month or visit alzheimers.org.uk/donatetoday