British Athletics Writers’ Association

The British Athletics Writers’ Association has been a voice for the journalists and broadcasters who cover track and field for more than 50 years.

Formed in 1963 in a drinking establishment near London’s White City Stadium to represent the press covering the sport, it forms a link between the national athletics federation, sponsors – and the athletes themselves – while co-ordinating accreditation, media availability and travel at major championships and events.

BAWA’s annual lunch, held each autumn, incorporates the main awards for track and field in the UK with its past winners including all the great names who have graced the circuit.

We also produce a regular members’ newsletter and organise occasional social events and receptions for members and other athletics journalists at home and abroad.

In times of increasing access issues, the Association has strongly lobbied for open dialogue with those operating on and off the track.

We hold an Annual General Meeting every year, usually during the UK Championships in June where the committee is elected.

Membership of BAW entitled journalists not only to vote in the awards but also provides a range of offers and discounts on such items as meeting tickets and publications.

Officers

Committee: Mark Woods
E: mark@britball.com
T: 07710 509728

Secretary: Jason Henderson
E: jason.henderson@athleticsweekly.com
T: 07714 338643

Treasurer: Tony Barden
E: tony.barden@hotmail.co.uk
T: 07770 747482

Website: https://bawaathletics.wordpress.com

BAWA Twitter: @BAWA_Athletics

Past BAWA Athletes of the Year

1963 Maurice Herriott – Dorothy Hyman
1964 Lynn Davies – Mary Rand
1965 Maurice Herriott – Anne Smith
1966 Lynn Davies – Pam Piercy
1967 Lynn Davies – Lillian Board
1968 David Hemery – Sheila Sherwood
1969 Ian Stewart – Lillian Board
1970 Ian Stewart – Rosemary Stirling
1971 David Bedford – Barbara Inkpen
1972 David Hemery – Mary Peters
1973 Brendan Foster – Verona Bernard
1974 Ian Thompson – Joyce Smith
1975 Alan Pascoe – Andrea Lynch
1976 Brendan Foster – Sonia Lannaman
1977 Steve Ovett – Tessa Sanderson
1978 Daley Thompson – Tessa Sanderson
1979 Sebastian Coe – Christine Benning
1980 Steve Ovett – Kathy Smallwood
1981 Sebastian Coe – Kathy Smallwood
1982 Daley Thompson – Kathy Smallwood
1983 Steve Cram – Fatima Whitbread
1984 Sebastian Coe – Tessa Sanderson
1985 Steve Cram – Zola Budd
1986 Roger Black – Fatima Whitbread
1987 Jon Ridgeon – Fatima Whitbread
1988 Linford Christie – Liz McColgan
1989 Steve Backley – Yvonne Murray
1990 Steve Backley – Yvonne Murray
1991 Kriss Akabusi – Liz McColgan
1992 Linford Christie – Sally Gunnell
1993 Colin Jackson – Sally Gunnell
1994 Linford Christie – Sally Gunnell
1995 Jonathan Edwards – Kelly Holmes
1996 Roger Black – Denise Lewis
1997 Iwan Thomas – Denise Lewis
1998 Iwan Thomas – Denise Lewis
1999 Colin Jackson – Paula Radcliffe
2000 Jonathan Edwards – Denise Lewis
2001 Jonathan Edwards – Paula Radcliffe
2002 Dwain Chambers – Paula Radcliffe
2003 Darren Campbell – Paula Radcliffe
2004 Olympic 4x100m Relay team – Kelly Holmes
2005 Jason Gardener – Paula Radcliffe
2006 Mo Farah – Rebecca Lyne
2007 Marlon Devonish – Christine Ohuruogu
2008 Phillips Idowu – Christine Ohuruogu
2009 Phillips Idowu – Jessica Ennis
2010 Mo Farah – Jessica Ennis
2011 Mo Farah – Jessica Ennis
2012 Mo Farah – Jessica Ennis
2013 Mo Farah – Christine Ohuruogu
2014 Greg Rutherford – Jo Pavey
2015 Greg Rutherford – Jessica Ennis-Hill
2016 Mo Farah – Jessica Ennis-Hill
2017 Mo Farah – Laura Muir
2018 Zharnel Hughes – Dina Asher-Smith
2019 Adam Gemili – Katarina Johnson-Thompson
2020 Jake Wightman – Jemma Reekie
2021 Josh Kerr – Keely Hodgkinson
2022 Jake Wightman – Laura Muir / Eilish McColgan