The Tap and Go competition was launched with the aim of discovering the next generation of sports writing talent, and the response exceeded our expectations. The criteria were clear: aspiring young writers, aged 12 to 16, were invited to submit a 400-word piece on any Six Nations match. The submissions we received showcased an impressive array of talent and viewpoints, with a notable number of entries coming from young female writers. This provided a hopeful indication of future gender diversity in sports journalism.
The distinguished winner, Alice McManus, distinguished herself not by her gender, but by the exceptional quality of her critique on the Scotland v France match. Her writing displayed wit, precision, and constructiveness, while also demonstrating a strong command of rugby knowledge. Moreover, the absence of grammatical and spelling errors further underscored the excellence of her work.
As a result of her outstanding performance, Alice has earned the privilege of covering the Ireland v Scotland game from the press box this weekend. Readers can look forward to her insightful account of the Six Nations decider in the upcoming Irish Times publication on Monday.
It is truly inspiring to witness the emergence of promising young talents such as Alice, and we are excited to see her flourish in the sports writing realm. This competition has underscored the significance of providing a platform for budding writers to hone their craft and make their mark in the industry. Congratulations to Alice McManus, and we eagerly anticipate the exceptional contributions that future Tap and Go competitions will uncover.