Nominations open for YJA Stoneways Marine 'Young Journalist of the Year'

UltimEmotion2 passes Hurst Castle after the Rolex Fastnet Race start © Mark Jardine

The YJA Stoneways Marine Young Journalist of the Year is a new award for 2021, aiming to celebrate and reward upcoming talent in the marine industry.

Nominations are now open for this award through to the closing date on 29th August 2021, and anyone can be nominated, from any nationality, and by anyone in any country. The winner will receive a newly created perpetual trophy, and automatically become a member of the Yachting Journalists' Association.

The concept behind the award is to encourage those starting out on their careers, as those being nominated need to be under 21 years of age at 31st December 2021 in order to qualify. They can be from any sector of the media, including 'new' media. Nominees do NOT need to be YJA members.

"Helping young people to gain traction in the industry"

YJA Chairman Cliff Webb said, "We're looking to help people trying to gain traction in the industry; those getting going with ideas in what has been a tremendously difficult 'Covid afflicted' time. Let's celebrate ingenuity, talent, and bright new approaches to modern media, and shine a spotlight on those taking their early steps to what could be glittering careers.

"We've all had help in our early years to a degree, but not all of us have had the right connections and 'breaks' when we really needed them perhaps, and that is fundamental to what the YJA is here for in my view, to connect, and to help create opportunities for everyone involved in this industry worldwide, so who can you put forward for this accolade, who is a bright new star?"

He added, "The world of the 'old' media landscape has changed with the ever-evolving technology and reach of social media. That has created a new opportunity in the way reporting and coverage is achieved, and thus the people involved in it have evolved, grown and adapted. Embracing this is of course essential moving forward, and so we are excited to see who will emerge as the inaugural YJA Stoneways Marine Young Journalist of the Year."

Make your nomination here: yja.world/yja-stoneways-marine-award-nominations-2021

Three awards will be presented during a Gala Dinner at the Grand Café Southampton on Friday 10th September, following on from Press Day at the Southampton International Boat Show, the YJA Stoneways Marine Young Journalist of the Year, along with the prestigious YJA Stoneways Marine Yachtsman of the Year and the Young Sailor of the Year Awards.

Limited tickets are available for this glittering event for YJA members and for non-members. If you would like to attend then please contact the YJA Secretary, Chris English via email at who will send you the full range of options.

Find out more about the Yachting Journalists' Association at yja.world