Laureus brunch with Michael Vaughan: July 4 - Sports Journalists' Association

Before England and Australia begin their much-awaited Test series, former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan is our special guest for a media event on Thursday, July 4, to which SJA members and other guests are invited to attend

Michael Vaughan: he won't be playing all the SJA's questions with a straight bat on July 4 — Michael Vaughan: he won’t be playing all the SJA’s questions with a straight bat on July 4

The SJA’s Lunches – or in this case brunch – are generously supported by Laureus and are open to all working media, non-members as well as members.

There is a strict limit on the number we can accommodate, and priority is always given to SJA members and those first to book.

Attendance at this brunch at the Kings Cross dining club, The Driver, costs £15 (including VAT) for SJA members (associate and full members) provided that they book their place before June 21.

Those SJA members booking after June 21 will have to pay £20.

For non-members, the price is £22 (including VAT).

The event will begin at 11am, with Michael Vaughan speaking about Ashes series, past and impending, and his charity bike ride later this year, and he 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).

The cost covers entry, a delicious brunch including tea or coffee, toast, eggs benedict, fruit salad and yoghurt, and a complimentary glass of bucks fizz on arrival.

Laureus Ambassador Vaughan carved his place in cricket history when he masterminded the 2005 series victory against Australia, regaining the Ashes for England after 18 years.

A classy right-handed opening batsman for Yorkshire and England – Vaughan scored three centuries in the 2002-2003 Ashes series in Australia – he captained England in 51 Tests between 2003 and 2008, winning a record 26 Tests. In a nine-year international career, Vaughan scored 5,719 runs at an average of 41.44.

Chosen as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2003, Vaughan was awarded an OBE in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List.

Since his retirement from first-class cricket in 2009, Vaughan has worked widely in the media, including as an expert commentator on BBC Test Match Special, although his foray into ballroom dancing was less successful in Strictly Come Dancing last year…

Michael Vaughan is an Ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children around the world through the use of sport.

Since its inception, more than £51 million has been raised and more than one-and-a-half million young people have received help. Currently Laureus supports more than 140 community sports-based programmes in 34 countries.

On yer bike: Michael Vaughan is looking for support for his charity bike ride — On yer bike: Vaughan is looking for support for his charity bike ride

At the SJA/Laureus brunch, Michael will also be talking about his charity initiative this autumn when he will lead a group of fund-raising cyclists around the country, following the England v Australia one-day international series, starting at Headingley on September 6 and traveling to each of the venues before ending in London on September 17. Each of the four stages will include a healthy mix of cycling and cricket.

The Michael Vaughan Bike Ride is open to cyclists of all abilities and will raise money in order to improve children’s lives through the power of sport. Funds raised will support the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Chance to Shine campaign.

This SJA brunch 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 Laureus and the Sports Journalists’ Association in their published or broadcast reports.

HOW TO BOOK
The SJA/Laureus brunch 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.

Brunch will start at 11am.

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 £15 (including VAT) for paid-up SJA members (full and associate members) who book by June 21, or £20 (including VAT) for members’ bookings thereafter, and £22 (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 “Michael Vaughan brunch” 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, 7 Auckland Road, Cambridge, CB5 8DW.

Payment may be expected from anyone who books a place but does not attend.

All details are subject to change.

First posted May 30.