05.05.2009

Voting opens for 2009 media awards

Voting for Athletics Australia's annual media awards is now under way, with the athletics community again invited to cast its vote for the Outstanding Photograph of the Year.

For the next two weeks athletics fans will have the chance to vote for the photography award before the winner is announced on Monday, May 18.

Three images will vie for top honours this year, with renowned athletics photographer Mark Dadswell (Getty Images) and track and field diehard Tim McGrath (Inside Athletics) in contention as the men behind the lenses.

Dadswell has two images up for the award, snapping Western Australian pole vaulter Vicky Parnov in action at February’s Sydney Track Classic and fellow vaulter Steve Hooker just moments after securing the gold medal at last year’s Beijing Olympic Games.

Tim McGrath’s entry to the awards captures young Victorian runner Jeff Riseley’s celebrations as he approaches the finish line of the 1500m at the World Athletics Tour Melbourne in March.

All photographs submitted for the award must be a published action shot of an Australian athlete, highlighting the skill, athleticism, emotion and drama of the sport and its athletes.

The photograph must be taken between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009.

Voting for the Outstanding Photograph of the Year closes at 9AM on Monday, May 18. To view the nominated images click here; to cast your vote for the award, click here.

The Outstanding Media Coverage of the Year award will again recognise an individual who has significantly contributed to the coverage of athletics.

Six nominees will vie for the award in 2009: Ian Cohen (Network Ten), Scott Gullan (Herald Sun), Paul Malone (Courier Mail), Harriet Morley (Runner’s World), John Salvado (AAP) and Richard Welsh (Hobart Mercury/Run for Your Life).

The award will be bestowed upon the journalist or reporter who, as determined by the judging panel, has delivered comprehensive coverage and whose work has been accurate, informative and newsworthy.

Journalists are invited to enter up to five pieces of work to be critiqued by the judging panel.

Content must have been published or broadcast in domestic media for the first time between April 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009.

Michael Dodge (Herald Sun) and Jenny McAsey (The Australian) took out the respective photography and media coverage awards in 2008.