Entries open for 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. There are multiple categories that enable different media to compete on relative merits.

Award Categories

• Best reporting of an issue in sport
• Best sport profile – written
• Best sports documentary
• Best sport coverage by an individual – broadcast
• Best sport podcast
• Best sport coverage by an individual – written
• Best depiction of inclusive sport
• Best coverage of rural & regional sport
• Best coverage of sport for people with disability
• Best coverage of sport by a club or organisation
• Best coverage of a sporting event
• Best sports photography

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.
• 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.
• All entrants must certify that the entry is their original work and, apart from normal sub-editorial/production treatment, they have adhered to the Media Alliance Code of Ethics in its preparation and complied with all copyright requirements.
• 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).
• Where the entry is a collaborative effort, all major contributors (producers, researchers, journalists and editors) should be included on the entry form and any supporting documentation.
• 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.
• If it meets the eligibility criteria, the same item can be entered in more than one category provided a separate entry and entry form is submitted for each category.
• All entries should be factually correct and must be the author’s own work.
• Each entry should be uploaded separately.
• The judges have the right to reject an entry which, in their opinion, does not comply with the requirements of the media awards, including but not limited to, category suitability and entry requirements.
• The judges have the right to place a nomination in another category if, in their opinion, it fits better into that category.
• The judges’ decision is final. No discussion or correspondence will be entered into.
• The Australian Sports Commission reserves the right to use all material submitted and to reproduce it solely for the purpose of promoting the media awards.
• The Australian Sports Commission reserves the right to withdraw an entry and/or award winner if it finds out at a later date that the entrant did not comply with the entry conditions.

Judging Criteria

• A panel comprising representatives from the media, sport and the Australian Sports Commission will judge the entries.
• With the exception of the Lifetime achievement award for contribution to sports journalism, a minimum four finalists will be selected in each category. The winners will be announced in February 2024, and published on the Australian Sports Commission website. The lifetime achievement award winner is chosen by the Australian Sports Commission board.
• Judges will make their decisions based solely on the material provided by entrants. Entrants should not expect feedback from the judging panel about their entry.

For more information, visit Australian Institute of Sport.