Ben Clissitt, head of sport for The Guardian, Observer and guardian.co.uk, has joined the SJA executive committee.
Clissitt joins David Walker, the sports editor at the Sunday Mirror, Jim Munro, sunonline’s sports editor, Paul Trow, former editor at PA Sport and David Welch, the former Daily Telegraph sports editor, among the leading figures from our business now working for the Association’s committee.
Clissitt was co-opted at the June committee meeting to replace Leo Mason, who has had to stand down after five years’ service on the committee.
“We thank Leo for his hard work on behalf of the SJA in the past,” said Steven Downes, the SJA Secretary.
“His work on behalf of the photographers, including most recently at the Beijing Olympics, and in working on the organisation for the annual SJA British Sports Journalism Awards has been incredibly valuable. We are actively seeking other photographers to come on board and help in the future.”
With Mason’s departure coming so soon after the Association’s annual meeting in April, the decision was reached to maintain committee numbers and invite Clissitt, who narrowly missed election.
“We’re sure that Ben’s input will prove very valuable to the SJA, and we thank him for volunteering his time to the Association,” Downes said.
New members
Among those recently accepted as members of the SJA are the Guardian‘s tennis correspondent, Steve Bierley.
Simon Haydon, AP’s London-based international sports editor and Gerry Cox, leading figure at Hayter’s sports agency, were also accepted, as was Olympic PR Becky Middleton and Lia Hervey, producer of Olympic programmes for broadcaster BSkyB.
Others to be accepted as SJA members include:
Matthew Cole, Setanta Sports News
Gareth Davies, photographer
Daniel Jones, Sports Editor Dorking & Leatherhead Advertiser
Tim Keeton
Oliver Pickup, freelance reporter
Gavin Robertson, Eastbourne Tennis Website
Robert Violette Mandate, freelance reporter
Ben Davies
Seb Rogers
Paul Barker
Barry Wheway
Jon Edwards
Christopher Parker
Lynnie Farrant
Matthew Bunn, photographer, Derby Evening Telegraph
Simon Smedley, former sports editor Stockport Express
Photographers Hamish Blair, Paul Gilham and Tom Dalat (all Getty Images).
“Our membership numbers continue to grow to record levels,” said Downes, “but the committee is keen to encourage our many colleagues working on regional and local newspaper sports desks and at local radio stations to join the SJA and help to contribute to our growing network.
“Any existing members should try to encourage their colleagues to take a look at what we have to offer.”
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