Discussion on March 25 featuring inspirational next-generation talent will explore career opportunities and standing out in a competitive industry; hear from organisations and groups helping to diversify sports media; attendees can network with influential editors and rising stars from SJA Academy…
By the SJA
The Sports Journalists’ Association will stage a special ‘SJA Showcase’ event on March 25 ahead of the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards.
Taking place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in central London – also the venue for the awards gala, being held later that same Monday – the ‘Showcase’ will feature winners and shortlisted entrants from the SJA 2023 categories, who will share their experiences and offer advice to those who hope to follow in their footsteps.
There will also be an overview of the work being done by the four founding members of an alliance with ambitions to diversify the sports media landscape.
Set up just over a year ago, the alliance is a joint venture between BCOMS (the Black Collective of Media in Sport), Women in Football, The Ability Group in Sport (TAGS) and Sports Media LGBT+, supported by the SJA.
Each organisation and its extended network is helping to make sports media spaces more inclusive and break down barriers for marginalised and under-represented groups.
By collaborating on events like this and wider projects, the groups are seeking to pursue an intersectional approach that creates additional pathways into the industry.
There will also be dedicated time for networking and one-on-one conversations.
The panel discussion will be hosted by reporter and presenter Sanny Rudravajhala, who is regularly seen on Sky Sports News and BBC Sport.
He was runner-up in the ‘Ones to Watch – On Air’ category last year and is shortlisted for two awards this time round, Broadcast Journalist and Social Media Journalist.
Joining Sanny will be:
Miriam Walker-Khan, Sky Sports News’ Diversity and Inclusion Reporter, winner of the ‘Ones to Watch – On Air’ category, and founder of Brown Girl Sport
Read more about Miriam’s work on Brown Girl Sport in our recent Q&A here
Rio Rosenberg, Head of Women’s Football at Hayters TV, shortlisted in the Social Media Journalist category
Learn more about Rio’s industry journey here
Nick Ransom, freelance reporter working for Sky Sports News and ITV, and neurodiversity consultant, shortlisted in the ‘Ones to Watch – On Air’ category
Morgan Harlow, winner of this year’s SJA Young Photographer Award and previously a bronze medal recipient in the Specialist Portfolio category
Read about Morgan’s Young Photographer award success here
The panellists will be chatting about how they got some of their biggest breaks so far; the ups and downs of freelancing; their passion projects, which are amplifying voices from their communities; and the importance of creativity and authenticity in the work.
Join us from 10.45am for an 11am start at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on Monday 25 March 2024. The event will run through to 1pm, including allocated time for networking.
For all enquiries about this event, please email info@sportsjournalists.co.uk.
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