A high-achieving student journalist has won a prestigious award in an annual scheme dedicated to the memory of a union stalwart.
Harry McBain, 21, from Woosehill, who graduated this year in sports journalism from Southampton Solent University, was nominated for the award by his tutors – not only for his academic achievement but also for his care and consideration towards his fellow students and his contribution to the year group.
He is one of three winners who studied at the main providers of journalism training in the Solent region: the University of Portsmouth, Southampton Solent University and Bournemouth University.
The students were nominated for exceptional efforts in what were sometimes challenging circumstances.
Each will receive a trophy, certificate and cash awarded by the Solent Branch of the National Union of Journalists as a tribute to their former chairman, Bob Norris, who died in 2018.
A former assistant general secretary of the NUJ nationally, he was a fervent believer in education and training and spent almost 30 years as a director on the board of the National Council for the Training of Journalists, and two years as its chairman.
Kevin O’Donovan, course leader, School of Creative Industries at Southampton Solent University, said: ‘Harry’s been outstanding from day one of the course ‒ hard-working, committed and determined in his university work but also as a very positive member of his year group.
“He supports his friends and classmates with care and consideration, and has greatly contributed to the feeling of community and camaraderie among the cohort ‒ so important in any busy newsroom.
“He works hard but has a great attitude and, just as importantly, is great at the journalism too.
“He’s definitely a worthy winner for us and we think he’ll go far. It’s been a pleasure to work with him these past three years.’
Harry, who also looks after social media for Wokingham Town Football Club, said: ‘I am absolutely over the moon to have been recognised for this prestigious award. “It makes all the hard work over these past three years even more fulfilling, and to have been nominated by the lecturing staff on the course, who have all made our time at Solent an incredible experience, makes it even more special!
“To me high achievement in the field is the pinnacle of the grind that is needed to succeed in this incredible industry, but it is also a sign of being surrounded by fantastic people like my course mates, who have provided the best support for the last three years.
“I wanted to study journalism, in part due to my passion for sharing stories for those people and messages which may not always be heard, but I was also inspired to study this field because my grandparents raised me to be inquisitive, passionate about the news and always work hard – and that led me to journalism.”
Harry is currently at sports marketing agency Ten Toes, working on their Football Association account for England Football.
“‘I love sharing stories around sport, and this area has been my goal for the past couple of years. I’m loving it!’ he said.
