The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Soccer legend Johnny Warren honoured at media awards

Socceroo, author, broadcaster and journalist, the late Johnny Warren, was one of several journalists and broadcasters recognised today at the third annual Australian Sports Commission Media Awards.

The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, delivered the keynote address at the presentation, held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

The posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award recognised Warren's passionate commitment to the game and his extensive and influential involvement in the sports media. The award was accepted by his partner Sibere Rodrigues.

Warren wrote regular newspaper columns on the game and was an accomplished broadcaster and analyst on SBS Television. The Minister also noted Warren's exceptional contribution to the reform of soccer, particularly in his membership of the Crawford Review that heralded a total restructuring of the game in Australia.

Winner of the ASC's major award, Best Reporting of an Issue in Australian Sport, went to The Australian's Michael Davis for his article entitled 'His Fragile Brilliance'. Davis' article was a candid profile piece on AFL footballer James Hird, detailing for the first time many of the personal and professional challenges Hird has overcome, and his view on the challenges facing the game.

The award for Best Journalism on Australian Sports Commission-related Programs went to Inside Sport's Jesse Fink for his article 'Silent Witness'. In it Fink tackled the taboo subject of mental illness amongst athletes, and questioned the approach of some key sporting bodies on their handling of this difficult issue. Fink's article also received a high commendation in the Best Reporting of an Issue in Australian Sport category.

Journalist with the Liverpool Champion Daniel DeNardi won the award for Best Sports Journalism from Rural, Regional or Suburban Media. DeNardi's series of articles explored the on-going relocation of national sporting teams from Sydney's South-West, despite the area being one of Australia's most rapidly growing.

The Community Sport Media Award went to the Seven Network's Sportsworld reporter Mark Howard for his report 'Footy From the Hearts' on the Hearts football club in Melbourne. Howard captured the dignity and strength of the team's homeless and unemployed players and what the opportunity to play football meant to them.

The Youth Sport Media Award was won by Shaun Hollis of Messenger Newspapers for his series of features on junior football in South Australia. It was perhaps the most comprehensive undertaking of research and writing on the junior league football ever attempted in South Australia.

The Australian Sports Commission Media Award for Best Sports Photo Journalism saw joint winners announced-Ray Kennedy of The Age for his 'Doubles' photo of US doubles pair, the Byron brothers, at this year's Australian Open tennis tournament; and Inside Sport's Vincent Long for 'Park Life', his photo series that captured the chaos and exuberance of kids playing cricket in the parks of Mumbai, India.

Winners in the 2004 Australian Sports Commission Media Awards were selected from more than 130 entries from television and radio stations, newspapers and magazines from across the country.

A full list of award winners is attached.

CANBERRA
1 December 2004

Media contact:
Adrian Chippindale, Minister's Office, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 208 743
Simon Langford, ASC, 02 6214 1298 or 0418 605 541

2004 Australian Sports Commission Media Awards - Winners