A West Cumbrian teenager has been named Young Sports Reporter of the Year by a leading county show.
Harry Taylor, 13, of Whitehaven, entered the competition run by Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show and was chosen to write a report at the 2024 event.
Before attending the August 25 show, to watch the action, take notes and shape his report, he was provided with a briefing on sports writing, delivered by Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show’s PR agency and Young Sports reporter trophy sponsor, Catapult PR.
Managing director of Catapult PR, Jane Hunt, who has previously promoted major sports sponsorships such as those of the England national football team, Everton FC and Stoke City FC, took Harry through some tips and provided a briefing document, to help him put together an interesting, factually sound and evocative report.
Harry also showed a huge amount of initiative, by talking to the Carlisle United media officer, to get further inspiration.
He demonstrated a clear direction, by choosing to concentrate on the Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling action. With wrestling and taekwondo being some of his own sporting pastimes, alongside rugby, football and running, he felt an affinity with this very traditional sport.
Harry and his family attended the show, which experienced heavy rain throughout the day. Despite the monsoon weather, and dreadfully challenging conditions in the wrestling arena, he still managed to produce a highly engaging report.
He was also presented with a trophy and an £120 Mini Shot camera and a special certificate.
Harry said: “It was great fun to write the report and a very valuable experience that I am sure will help me achieve my dream of one day becoming a sports reporter.
“I’ve picked up some useful tips but have also been able to apply them in a really exciting way, combining what I’ve learned about sports reporting with general writing skills picked up at school.”
Harry, a pupil at St Benedict’s Catholic High School, attended the presentation with his mother, Jennifer, his father, Darren, and younger brother Rex, who have all been invited to attend Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show in 2025.
