Maidenhead coach wins top award

Jones, the former U16s' rugby correspondent, was named at the British Sports Journalism Awards Dinner in London's Portman Square and received his trophy, the John Bromley Award, from Sue Campbell, chief executive of UK Sport.

Jones stood alongside Tom Jenkins, who was named Sports Photographer of the Year for his images in the Guardian and Observer. Dil and Liz Thomas were rumoured to have come a close second in this category.

The awards, sponsored by UK Sport and Laureus and organised by the Sports Journalists' Association, attracted a high quality of entries from the cream of the nation's sports writers and photographers.

Jones was the only writer from the MRFC website to win an award. The MRFC website can feel justly proud of their success.

The awards were judged by a distinguished panel with a high degree of experience in both the media and sport, ranging from politicians to television heads, sportsmen to agents. All the winners received a new, specially commissioned trophy and framed certificate.

The chairman of the judges panel commented, "Whilst Stephen's work as the rugby correspondent of The Sunday Times was important it was those reports on the Maidenhead games that clinched it"

Jones added "I am very pleased to have won the award this year. As Richard Robinson has now taken on the role of Maidenhead U16s' reporter it will be very difficult to repeat the success"

Seriously congratulations to Stephen on his prestigious award from all at Maidenhead RFC.

For a slightly more truthful account see www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/awards/sportjourn04/journwinners2003.htm