An Australia-wide search for new race calling talent has been launched by Sky Channel with the John Tapp Scholarship.

New talent is being sought for training in the art of calling races and all other aspects of television presentation.

The scholarship will be awarded to the outstanding applicant, who submits a formal application along with a personal photograph and an audio tape of three races they have called.

John Tapp was one of Australia’s best-known race broadcasters for more than 30 years. He will head the selection panel.

The judging process will cover a wide range of requirements, including general racing knowledge, communication skills and on camera presence.

Sky Channel Chief Operating Officer, Brendan Parnell, described the John Tapp Scholarship as an exciting concept and an excellent opportunity to unearth fresh race broadcasting talent.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for a promising caller to develop their skills under the guidance of experienced professional broadcasters, including one of the men widely regarded as one of the best race callers of his generation,” Mr Parnell said.

Applications for the John Tapp Scholarship close on Monday 28 July and the winner will be announced during Racing Retro on Sunday 31 August.

The winner will receive an employment contract with Sky Channel and undergo intensive training in a range of television skills centred on the racing industry. The 12-month training course will entail on-camera and behind-the-scenes activities.

John Tapp and his Sky Channel colleagues will help to hone the skills of the successful applicant in race calling, as well as previews and reviews of race meetings. The training also will extend to producing and reporting news stories and other television production techniques.

Sky Channel’s John Tapp Race Calling Scholarship already has unearthed talented broadcasters Matthew Hill (2000) and Josh Fleming (2005).