Australian Sports Commission Media Awards

They focus on analytical and insightful reporting and the presentation of sport and sporting issues, with the ultimate aim of fostering improved coverage of key issues within sport.

The media awards are the only dedicated sports media awards in Australia.

Award Categories

• Best reporting of an issue in sport
  • This award for journalistic excellence recognises a story, or series of stories, on a single issue in sport. It seeks to promote responsible, well-researched and analytical coverage of issues affecting sport.
  • For the purposes of this award, ‘issues’ do not include match or event reports or previews, or injuries to individuals. All other matters relating to sport will be considered, including topics relating to sport business, governance and administration.
  • A maximum of two entries per person applies to this category.
  • Entrants should provide no more than six examples of their best work.
  • Long-form broadcasts are eligible in this category, but these entries must also include a highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes.
• Best sport profile – written
  • This award recognises the best example of responsible and well-researched written profiling of an individual athlete, team or coach (can be print or online items). Entries may focus on a number of issues, including unique training regimes, personal obstacles and triumphs or inspirational features.
  • A series will be considered, but entrants should provide no more than six articles.
  • A maximum of two entries per person applies to this category.
• Best sport profile – broadcast
  • This award recognises the best example of responsible and well-researched profiling of an individual athlete, team or coach by broadcast media. This can include online audio/visual media, including podcasts. Entries may focus on a number of issues, including unique training regimes, personal obstacles and triumphs or inspirational features.
  • Long-form broadcasts are eligible in this category, but these entries must also include a highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes.
  • A maximum of two entries per person applies to this category.
• Best sport coverage by an individual – broadcast
  • This award recognises an individual who has delivered exceptional coverage of sport on broadcast media during the nomination period. This can include radio, television and digital media across video and audio formats. Entries should demonstrate responsible and well-researched coverage and provide a detailed and innovative insight into sport.  Coverage could include interviews, live match commentary, analysis and other formats.
  • Long-form video and audio files are eligible in this category, but these entries must also include a highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes.
  • Entrants should provide no more than six examples of their best work.
• Best sport podcast
  • This award recognises an individual or organisation who has delivered exceptional audio coverage of sport via podcast media during the nomination period. Entries should demonstrate responsible and well-researched coverage, provide a detailed and innovative insight into sport and showcase a high standard of audio and production quality.
  • Entries can include up to six episodes and should highlight a favourite episode. A highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes is encouraged.
• Best sport coverage by an individual – written
  • This award recognises an individual who has delivered exceptional written coverage of sport in print or online media during the nomination period. Entries should demonstrate responsible and well-researched coverage and provide a detailed and innovative insight into sport.
  • Entrants should provide no more than six examples of their best work.
• Best depiction of inclusive sport
  • This award recognises the best example of media that depicts the inclusiveness of sport and/or sporting communities. Entries may include stories or programs that promote participation and help break down social barriers. Issues covered may include gender equity, Indigenous Australians, multicultural groups, different age demographics or the role of volunteers in sport.
  • Long-form broadcasts are eligible in this category, but these entries must also include a highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes. A package entry should provide no more than six examples of your best work.
• Best coverage of a community sport issue – rural & regional media
  • This award is for media based outside major metropolitan areas. Individuals from major metropolitan areas that travel to cover a community sport issue in a rural and/or regional area will not be considered.
  • It recognises the best example of responsible, well-researched and analytical coverage of issues affecting community sport in rural and regional Australia. Community impact will be considered. For the purposes of this award, ‘issues’ do not include match or event reports or previews.
  • Long-form broadcasts are eligible in this category, but these entries must also include a highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes. A package entry should provide no more than six examples of your best work.
• Best coverage of sport for people with disability
  • This award recognises the best coverage of sport for people with disability. Entries can focus on the participation of people with disability in sport, including as grassroots participants, volunteers, elite athletes, officials, coaches and administrators. The intent of this award is to recognise the overall promotion of sport for people with disability and is not restricted to profile stories on individuals. Entries should demonstrate responsible and well-researched coverage and provide detailed and innovative insight into people with disability participating in sport.
  • Long-form broadcasts are eligible in this category, but these entries must also include a highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes. A package entry should provide no more than six examples of your best work.
• Best coverage of sport by a club or organisation
  • This award recognises the ability of sporting clubs and organisations to engage with members and supporters through their own media channels. A strong emphasis is on unique approaches that engage fans and encourage people to become more active in sport and volunteering. This can be via website articles, podcasts or video, and the use of social media channels.
  • Judges will be looking for innovative ways clubs and organisations engage with new audiences and members.
  • Long-form videos and audio files such as podcasts are eligible in this category, but these entries must also include a highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes.
  • A package entry should provide no more than six examples of your best work.
• Best coverage of a sporting event
  • This award recognises an organisation across any media platform that has delivered exceptional coverage of a sporting event during the nomination period.
  • Long-form broadcasts are eligible in this category, but these entries must also include a highlights package of no longer than 10 minutes. Entrants can also provide entire publications (no more than three issues), articles (no more than 10) or online links (no more than 10).
• Best sports photography
  • This award recognises published images that capture the passion, drama and colour of sport. Photographers must submit a single image per entry but can submit up to three separate entries.
  • All pictures must have been first published during the qualification period in a printed publication or third-party’s website/social media account.
  • A maximum of three entries per person applies to this category. This category does not include books.
  • The image must not be digitally altered other than simple retouching that conforms to currently accepted industry standards. Cloning, montaging or digital special effects are not permitted.

Eligibility Criteria

• Entrants must be at least 18 years of age.
• The ASC Media Awards are open to all Australian media reporting on sport, sport affairs or issues in sport.
• Content must be original and created by a permanent Australian resident.
• Entries submitted in previous Sport Australia/ASC Media Awards cannot be re-submitted. This qualifying period applies to all categories excluding the Lifetime achievement award for contribution to sports journalism.
• Books are not considered media for the purpose of these awards.
• Entrants in all categories are required to establish their bona fides as a journalist/photographer.
• Entry may be by the author or nominated by a third party (for example, an editor or producer), providing the originator accepts the nomination in writing.
• An entry may be submitted by more than one person (for example, a producer and presenter).
• A team entry may comprise up to three individuals. If there are more than three major contributors, the entry will be attributed to the section of the newspaper or magazine, the organisation or program.
• The Australian Sports Commission reserves the right to verify the entry using the editor/producer contact details provided on the entry form.
• Journalists/organisations entering a different nomination for more than one category must complete a separate entry form for each category.
• Each entry should be uploaded separately.

For more information, visit Australian Sports Commission.