A sports journalism training course run by Sportsbeat press agency has won an award for innovation.

The Introduction to Sports Journalism module is run in conjunction with St Mary’s University College – and was named the Most Innovative Course of those offered by the college.

It is available to third year students at the Twickenham-based centre but is run at Sportsbeat’s base in Wimbledon.

Richard Parsons, head of journalism training for Sportsbeat, said: “Within the college there is an award called the Walpole Award given to the most innovative course.

“Faculties put forward modules for the award and our Introduction to Sports Journalism won.

“The course takes place entirely on our premises. The students visit us once a week and it’s a complete contrast to everything else they study – it’s very much a practical course.

“The students learn about the medium of sports writing and go through a series of tests such as writing a match report, conducting a post-match interview and writing a sports feature.

“Initially I think they found it quite hard to get their heads round some of it but judging their reaction I think they’ve quite enjoyed it.

“There are certainly some students who could quite easily make it as trainee journalists.”

Richard said that Sportsbeat has also created its own award for the student on the course who demonstrates the highest performance, enthusiasm and commitment.

The prize is a memorial to Alan Skehan – a former student at the college who died aged 27.

The winner receives a work placement with Sportsbeat, a sporting book and drinks vouchers. Last year’s winner was Luke Hamer, who has since taken an NCTJ course at Loughborough.