SJA CHAIR’S REPORT: ‘SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES AHEAD’
June 2, 2026
By ASHLEY BROADLEY
It’s been one of the biggest upheavals in recent memory at the SJA in the last year.
I looked back at my report for the AGM in 2025 when I spoke about change, and how we had held the British Sports Awards on Sky Sports News rather than an in-person event.
We did that again, and thanks to Sky Sports News for their support.
The lack of an event for the Sports Awards was down to costs, and it’s funding that has led to an even bigger change in 2026.
I joined the SJA some 15 years ago and have always had a table, food and a three-hour-plus event at the British Sports Journalism Awards.
Yes, I was one of those who said it went on too long!
But due to a challenging sponsorship environment, it was simply impossible to carry on with that type of event.
I cannot stress how close we were to not having an in-person Journalism Awards, but thanks to sponsors Canon and the outstanding hard work of Laurie Palacio and Lynda Moyo, we did it.
And we achieved what I thought was impossible, an event at the London Palladium in which we celebrated the best sports media in the world. And in around two hours!
As well as Laurie and Lynda, I should also thank Louise Beltrame-Bawden and James Toney for their support on the night with resources, and Jon Holmes for his work on media and comms.
And to our President, Darren Lewis, who has been a constant support in every single matter.
But let’s make no mistake. There are significant challenges still ahead.
With that in mind, as we look to the future of the SJA, a key priority this year is modernising our governance.
Over the years, our record-keeping and committee structures have become a bit informal. To ensure we are fully compliant with our own Constitution, the Officers and I are initiating a Governance Review.
At this AGM, we will proceed and elect the Executive, but over the next few months, we will be auditing our committee list, clarifying roles, and aligning everything strictly to Rule 10 of the Constitution.
We want to do this transparently, and we will present a clean, updated structure.
It is this, I believe, that will give us a better chance of securing the future of the SJA.
Ashley Broadley is the sports editor at PA Media and chair of the Sports Journalists’ Association
Election of Officers and Committee
At the AGM held on 2 June 2026, Nick Powell was appointed as Secretary.
The re-election of the existing Officers and Committee was also agreed by those present in the meeting.