Apr 29 2010

Plains FM broadcasters Mark Belcher and Ed Swift have been recognised at the 2010 New Zealand Radio Awards.

Mark Belcher won the Best Community Access Programme - Spoken/Informational English Language for his show A Belch on Sport . His 25 minute weekly sports show covers a variety of sporting interests in half an hour, not just the usual rugby, cricket and racing, and he mixes it up using his creative side with skits and characters.

"I didn't really know what to expect but it was a nice surprise!" says Mark. "It's great to be recognised by others in the radio industry and the feedback from people after the awards has been fantastic."

Also for the first time ever, the Best New Broadcaster - Air Personality has been won by someone from a community access station. Mornings host Ed Swift took out the award for his role in presenting and producing Plains FM Mornings as well as doing the behind the scenes work and working with many of our broadcasters.

"It still hasn't fully sunk in!" says Ed, "even just to be named a finalist was great, but now to be a winner - it feels amazing! I'm glad that the radio industry recognises community access radio in what has historically been a commercial radio dominated category."

The vidcast and a full list of winners is available at radioawards.co.nz