KNYSNA NEWS - Last weekend, Knysna-Plett Herald journalist and sport fundi Blake Linder travelled to Cape Town to take part in the Western Cape Sport Awards where he was up for two awards – Sport Photographer of the Year and Sport Journalist of the Year.
Blake was a nominee for the awards after winning both categories at a district level at the Eden Sport Awards last month.
And although Blake did not return to Knysna with a provincial award, he was one of just five up for the Sport Journalist of the Year prize and one of six up for the Sport Photographer of the Year prize.
He was the only one to be nominated for both awards, despite being the youngest nominee (23) in both categories. Blake is incredibly honoured to have been nominated.
"This is just the start for me as I still have a long way to go in the industry," he said. "None of this would have been possible without the people in the Knysna and Plettenberg Bay sports fraternities whose stories I get to capture and re-tell..
"I look forward to what lies in wait for all of us as we grow every sport that we love in our two Garden Route towns."
FCJ Awards
Any disappointment Blake might have felt was short-lived, as he received word on Monday that he has also been nominated for four awards at the prestigious Forum for Community Journalists (FCJ) Excellence National Awards – Best Column Writing, Sport Photo of the Year, News Photo of the Year and General Photo of the Year.
George Herald journalist Eugene Gunning has also been nominated in the category Best Column Writing and Chris du Plessis, Knysna-Plett Herald editor, in the category Best Front Pages.
Congratulations also to Group Editors senior graphic designer and layout artist, Periëtte Nel, who plays an integral part in the design and look of the paper.
KPH Journalist Blake Linder with award nominations.
Glitterati
The Western Cape Sport Awards took place at Mutual Park in Cape Town on Saturday 17 September, and was attended by various dignitaries of provincial government such as Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais and Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers.
Alan Winde was also present - the first time ever that a Western Cape Premier attends the awards.
Some stars of the national and international sporting arenas were present, such as Stormers coach John Dobson who received a Ministerial Commendation from Marais; Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis who won the Coach of the Year prize; and para-athlete Jonathan Ntutu who was the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability.
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