The Media School

Olympic dream spurs award-winning graduate

25 November 2009

George Scott being presented his award for Sports Journalism from Helen Boaden

‘Excellence in Journalism’ prize for talented sports correspondent.

Bournemouth University (BU) graduate George Scott has been recognised amongst the best up-and-coming reporting talent in this year’s National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Awards for ‘Excellence in Journalism’.

George, who graduated from BU in 2008, received this year’s Student award for Sports Journalism from Helen Boaden, Director of News at the BBC. Earlier this year, he completed the fast-track NCTJ course at News Associates in London. George then enjoyed a four-month internship with the Sportsbeat press agency working mainly on Olympics-based website ‘morethanthegames.co.uk’.

“I'm really pleased with the award and it's a massive bonus after a year's hard work,” said George who achieved a BA (Hons) in Communications and Media at BU where he had his first taste of journalism writing for the student magazine Nerve. Before starting the NCTJ course, George undertook placements with the Daily Echo and South London Press.

“I'm currently freelancing for a number of clients in London and continuing to take my first steps in a competitive industry,” said the 22-year-old who is originally from Beckenham in Kent. “The countdown is on to London 2012 and an early career goal is to be there filing copy from all over the Olympic Park.”

Now in their second year, the NCTJ Awards for ‘Excellence in Journalism’ reward students and trainees or recently-qualified senior reporters, across five categories. This year’s presentations were made during the annual Society of Editors Conference. Award judges included Loaded editor Martin Daubney, Hamstead and Highgate Express editor Geoff Martin and Society of Editors executive director Bob Satchwell.

"The winners of these awards have demonstrated this value of excellence which has always been at the heart of our organisation," said NCTJ chairman Kim Fletcher.