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Sports Awards: half-price tickets for SJA members

Having a ball: Jessica Ennis, the SJA's Sportswoman of 2010. Will you be with us in December to see the 2011 winners?

The Sports Journalists’ Association of Great Britain is delighted to announce details for the 2011 SJA British Sports Awards, to be staged in central London at lunchtime on Wednesday December 7, where this year SJA members will be able to buy two tickets at half price.

This year’s all-star gala occasion will be held at a new venue for the SJA, the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden.

For this prestigious event, being staged on the eve of Olympic year, the SJA has slashed ticket prices for members to just £60 (plus VAT). And to encourage members to attend with their partners, we are offering a special guest rate for members for one additional ticket at the same price.

“The committee has listened carefully to the feedback we have had from members and sports desks,” Barry Newcombe, the SJA chairman, said, “and together with Martin Castle at Start2Finish, we have worked hard to find an excellent venue that allows us to offer exceptional value for this terrific event.

“We hope that members will support their Association’s key awards event by booking tickets and bring along their partner to enjoy one of the best social occasions on the sports journalism calendar.”

Winning smiles: Colin Montgomerie (left) and AP McCoy (right) with SJA President Sir Michael Parkinson at last December's SJA Sports Awards

Britain’s original sports awards, the SJA British Sports Awards were first staged in 1949. The Sportsman, Sportswoman and Team are chosen each year by a ballot of SJA members, making the accolades especially cherished by the winners.

In 2010, our winners were AP McCoy, Jessica Ennis (for a second year), and the European Ryder Cup team, represented by captain Colin Montgomerie.

Other recent winners include Andrew Flintoff, Rebecca Adlington, Sir Chris Hoy, Lewis Hamilton and Dame Kelly Holmes.

This year’s event will be hosted by our President, Sir Michael Parkinson, and presented by top broadcasters and SJA members  Jim Rosenthal and John Inverdale.

Cancer Research UK has been chosen as the nominated charity for the 2011 SJA British Sports Awards.

The SJA Sports Awards lunch offers an outstanding corporate hospitality or Christmas party opportunity for sports desks, businesses and governing bodies.

Including a pre-lunch champagne reception and a three-course meal, plus half a bottle of wine per person, this year the organisers are offering an early booking discount for groups, with a table of 10 available for £1,000 (plus VAT), provided it is paid for before October 1.

Individual tickets for non-members remain at £120 (plus VAT).

Our grand new venue

The refurbished Grand Connaught Rooms on Great Queen Street are right at the beating heart of London’s Theatreland.

The banqueting hall at the Grand Connaught Rooms, venue for the 2011 SJA British Sports Awards

A short stroll to Holborn and Covent Garden Tube stations and with three major train stations just five minutes away by taxi, the Connaught Rooms are much more convenient. We are pursuing deals on hotel accommodation for those visiting from outside London.

The SJA’s main event will be held amid the architectural splendour of the stylish Grand Hall, with the pre-lunch reception in the adjoining Balmoral Suite.

  • Ticket booking forms are now available online here – just print off a copy of the form and send it to Martin Castle at Start2Finish with a cheque payable to “SJA” for the appropriate amount.
  • For any questions regarding the event, call S2F on 0208 916 2492.

UPCOMING SJA DATES

Mon Sep 12: SJA Autumn Golf Day, Muswell Hill GC. Click here for more details and to book yourself in for the day.

Wed Dec 7: SJA 2011 British Sports Awards.

All details subject to alteration. Keep checking sportsjournalists.co.uk for updates