Press Releases
Sir Terry McLean National Sports Journalism Awards 2004 - Winners Announced
31 Oct 2004
Fifteen of New Zealand's top sports journalists and photographers were winners tonight at the annual Sir Terry McLean National Sports Journalism Awards.
The SPARC-sponsored Awards celebrate excellence in sports coverage and honour legendary sports journalist, the late Sir Terry McLean, or 'TP' as he was known to his many readers.
Over 170 entries were received, with winners selected by the New Zealand Sports Journalism Association.
Highlights included freelance journalist Margot Butcher taking out both the Steinlager Award for Magazine Feature Writing and the Masport Sports Journalist of the Year.
Congratulating the winners and finalists, SPARC chief executive Nick Hill paid tribute to the legacy of TP.
"TP was an exceptional man who knew his subject better than anyone. Receiving a "TP" is an honour: it means you've reached the highest standards in the profession TP viewed as a craft.
"SPARC acknowledges the significant contribution the sports media in New Zealand make every single day. It is the writers and photographers that record and articulate sport's national and regional voice."
Nick Hill paid special tribute to Ron Palenski, winner of the SPARC Lifetime Contribution to Sport Through Journalism Award, and to both Ron Palenski and Phill Gifford, who were conferred with Life Membership of the New Zealand Sports Journalists Association on the night.
The winners, by Award category, are as follows:
Philips Award for Sports Reporting
Phil Taylor (NZ Herald)
Philips Award for Radio Reporting
Stephen Hewson (Radio New Zealand )
Wilson Award for Television Reporting
Michael Holland (One News)
SAMCOR Award for Best Columnist
David Leggat (NZ Herald)
Steinlager Award for Feature Writing - Magazines
Margot Butcher (Freelance)
Steinlager Award for Feature Writing - Newspapers
Lester Thorley ( Waikato Times)
New Zealand Herald DJ Cameron Young Writers Award
Campbell Burnes (Western Leader)
SPARC Award for Best Photography Portfolio
Phil Walter (Fotopress)
SPARC Award for Best Single Photo
Ross Giblin (Dominion Post)
SPARC Award for Recreation/Adventure/Lifestyle Reporting
Zane Mirfin (Fish & Game Magazine)
SPARC Award for Recreation/Adventure/Lifestyle Photography
John Borren ( Bay of Plenty Times)
Special Awards
Fairfax NZ Ltd Best Provincial Writer Award
Nathan Burdon
Fairfax NZ Ltd Best Provincial Photographer Award
Iain McGregor
Masport Journalist of the Year
Margot Butcher (Freelance)
SPARC Outstanding Contribution to Sport Through Journalism
Ron Palenski
Garry Frew Memorial For Outstanding Contribution To Provincial Sports Journalism
Russell Williamson
These were the 24th Sports Journalism Awards, the 10th year under the patronage of SPARC and the fourth year known as the Sir Terry McLean National Sports Journalism Awards.
Updated | 30 Mar 2006.
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