News

Photography Categories – SJA British Sports Journalism Awards

The Sports Journalists’ Association is delighted to announce that Canon UK is continuing to support the British Sports Photographer of the Year Awards with their sponsorship of the key awards and the photographic exhibition at the event. 

There are 7 categories across sports photography the same as last year, recent years have seen the addition of the Away from the Action Category and the Young Sports Photographer as well as changes being made to increase the number of pictures photographers can enter into the Sports Picture of the Year and Away from the Action Categories. 

The Canon Sports Photographer of the Year is awarded to the photographer who, in the opinion of the judges, has been the overall best sports photographer of 2019 and has demonstrated an outstanding range of photographic skills. This will be judged on submitted entries into the other 6 categories. All other categories are subject to entered submissions which are put before our panel of judges. 

The deadline for entries is Midnight on 15 January 2020. All entries must be submitted via the online entry system www.BritishSportsJournalismAwards.co.uk. Shortlists will be released on the following dates; Photography (29 Jan), Written (30 Jan) and Broadcast (31 Jan) with the award winners announced at a gala awards ceremony taking place at thePark Plaza Westminster Bridge on Monday 24 February 2020.

For detailed category descriptions please click the category names below or download the below PDF which also contains competition rules and information on how to enter. 

Photography Categories Information – Download PDF

Canon Sports Photographer of the Year The Ed Lacey Trophy

Is awarded to the photographer who, in the opinion of the judges, has been the overall best sports photographer of 2019 and has demonstrated an outstanding range of photographic skills. This will be judged on submitted entries into the categories listed below. All other awards are subject to entered submissions which are then put before our panel of judges.

Canon Sports Portfolio

To consist of 10 photographs representing a variety of sports and a range of photographic disciplines at a variety of sports events. Photographers can only enter one portfolio into this category.

Specialist Sports Portfolio

To consist of 10 photographs of one particular sport, showing a range of photographic disciplines, but not from one sporting event or assignment. Photographers can submit two portfolios from different sports into this category, this will be counted and charged as two entries.

Football Portfolio

To consist of 10 photographs from football showing a range of photographic disciplines. Entries to this category cannot be entered into Specialist Sports Portfolio. Photographers can only enter one portfolio into this category.

Sports Picture

This category is judged as the outstanding single picture. Photographers can enter up to three pictures in this category, this will be counted as one entry.

Away from the Action

This category is judged as the outstanding single picture taken away from the sporting action. Entries to this category can include portraits, features or sports news photos which take place off the field of play. Entries to this category cannot be entered into Sports Picture. Photographers can enter up to three pictures in this category this will be counted as one entry.

Young Sports Photographer

This category is open to photographers aged 25 or under on 31 December 2019. Previous winners are not eligible to enter. To consist of 5 photographs representing a variety of sports and a range of photographic disciplines at a variety of sports events. Photographers can only enter one portfolio into this category.