Would-be sports journalists are being given the chance to enter an annual prize scheme which includes a work placement with talkSPORT.

The Sports Journalists Association’s SJA Academy Award is now open for entries until 17 January.

The award is aimed at those at the start of their journey in sports journalism, with students, graduates and those without formal training among those eligible to enter.

The winner will be invited to attend the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards event in March 2024, undertake a work placement with talkSPORT, and get the chance to discuss their work and career development with an SJA committee member.

Kathryn Anastasi, deputy head of talkSPORT, said: “talkSPORT and News Broadcasting are proud and delighted to be supporting the SJA Academy Award this year.

“Celebrating and encouraging those at the start of their careers has never been more important. Our millions of consumers challenge us to provide the very best journalism.

“We are passionate about making sure this career is open to everyone. Broad perspectives make better content and this award is open to applicants across all mediums, be it student journalism, blogging, social media, audio or video.

“So whatever your flavour of sports journalism, we encourage you to enter – and we can’t wait to welcome the winner to talkSPORT for a work placement.”

Entry is open to anyone with less than one year of full-time experience in professional journalism, or those for whom journalism has never made up their primary source of income.

Applications are particularly welcome from those who feel their voices and communities are under-represented in the sports journalism industry.

Entries must include up to three pieces of their work produced between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, with a 200 word submission explaining each piece, and may be from across print, digital or broadcast.

More information is available here.