An MA Sports Journalism graduate from LJMU has scooped a national honour.
Jack Kinsella won ‘Best Student Project’ at the NCTJ’s Awards For Excellence ceremony held at Twickenham – the home of English rugby.
A runner-up in the same category was his fellow MA Sports Journalism graduate, Alexander Smith.
The award ceremony was held in front of the great and the good from the industry, including Sky, BBC, News UK, National World and more.
Hundreds of NCTJ accredited students from across the UK entered their journalism projects into the awards.
Jack scored first prize with his powerful video documentary ‘Widnes Vikings: More than a Club’.
The documentary explored the impact and role the club has played in the community over the past 50 years, including amazing behind scenes interviews and footage with players, coaches and staff.
Judges hailed the project for its “professional standard” which blended nostalgia with original and engaging story-telling.
He received the award from Jo Wilson, well known Sky Sports News TV presenter.
Jack is from Widnes and did his work placement at the club during his MA Sports Journalism course.
He graduated with a distinction in his MA and the full NCTJ diploma. He was at the awards ceremony with his girlfriend Chloe.
Alex was one of two runners up in the category and was commended by judges for his original features exploring the financial and educational barriers facing young people trying to break in to sports such as cycling, cricket and rugby union.
Alex was at the awards with his parents, and is currently a news reporter at Bournemouth Echo, where he is from originally.
He also achieved a distinction in his MA and the full NCTJ diploma while at LJMU
LJMU Head of Journalism Fran Yeoman said: “Jack’s success is testament to his talent and hard work, and we are all really proud of him in the LJMU Journalism department.
“The fact that along with Alex we had two of the three finalists for this prestigious award is a great endorsement of our MA courses in only their second year of running and testament to the hard work of Pete Leydon and the whole MA teaching team.
“We’ve had fantastic jobs outcomes so far from these MA courses and look forward to seeing what our brilliant graduates go on to do next.”
Our next award is for the best student project, sponsored by @thenewsmovement. The winner is @Jack_Kinsella09, from @LJMU, for Widnes Vikings: More Than a Club. The judges described the project as of a professional standard with a good blend of emotion and nostalgia #NCTJawards pic.twitter.com/JmRKSjAvgc
— NCTJ (@NCTJ_news) March 2, 2023