The Wills Young Writers’ Awards has just been launched offering young journalists with an interest in racing the chance to have their work published in both the Racing Post and The Irish Field as well as competing for £3,125 in prizes.
The annual awards, started in 1993 in memory of journalist and amateur jockey Martin Wills, are for creative writing around a horseracing theme and the judges have to pick from three categories: under 26, whose winner receives the main prize of £1,250, under 19 and under 15.
Previous winners have gone on to write for the national and racing press, news agencies and broadcast media.
Brough Scott, Chairman of the panel of judges, describes the awards as “a terrific opportunity to get your name in print and win extremely handsome pocket money.” He is joined again on this year's panel by Marcus Armytage, Sean Magee, Catherine Wills plus three first timers all of them successful journalists: Charlie Brooks, a former leading trainer and now Countryside Editor of The Daily Telegraph; Mark Costello, Deputy Editor of The Irish Field; Brian Viner, author and a features writer for The Independent.
The awards are for creative writing (fact or fiction) on, or with a background in, any aspect of horseracing by young people resident in the UK or Ireland. Particular importance will be attached by the judges to originality, imagination, conviction, entertainment, construction and use of language as well as obvious enthusiasm for both writing and the subject matter. Quality of writing is key, while a detailed knowledge of horseracing is unnecessary.
Those aged under 26/19/15 on January 1, 2010, are invited to submit a single article by February 28, and full details can be obtained on the Awards’ website www.willswritingawards.co.uk.
