SNZ Photographer and Para-Swimmer finalists for Sports Journalism Awards

Swimming New Zealand photographer Simon Watts and Para-Swimmer and journalist for the Northern Advocate Cameron Leslie have been named as finalists for the 2014 TP McLean Sports Journalism Awards.

The awards recognise New Zealand’s top sports journalists and photographers each year and this year attracted more than 136 entries across the ten categories.

Watts is a finalist for the Nikon Award for Community Sports/Recreational/Adventure Photography – Portfolio Award.

Leslie has been nominated in two categories, the New Zealand Herald DJ Cameron Young Writer Award and NZSJA Award for Best Provincial/Community Journalist.

The 24 year old competed at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games where he claimed gold in the 150m individual medley SM4 event and broke the world record. He went on to defend his title at the London 2012 Paralympics while breaking his own world record.

Award winners will be announced on Thursday 20 November at a dinner in Auckland.

Click here to see the full list of finalists.

Caption: Cameron Leslie