The association voted to allow female members in August.

The Herald reported in June that Newcastle council had threatened to kick Adamstown Rosebud Tennis Club off its council-owned courts unless it let women join.

Leading Newcastle female player and coach Emma Pollock, who lives near the courts, had complained to the association and the council that she was not allowed to be a club member because of her gender.

Members of Adamstown Rosebud Tennis Club, which operates the suburb's council-owned courts under an agreement with City of Newcastle, voted unanimously at the end of July to change its constitution to allow women to become members.

In an email to the council and club members, club secretary Phil Baker said members had voted at a special general meeting on Saturday to admit women "who have the same status, rights and obligations as male members".

The wording of the resolution mirrored an ultimatum from City of Newcastle that the club alter its constitution or lose access to the courts.

Parris is among four finalists for the best regional, rural and suburban sport coverage award, the winner of which will be announced at a gala ceremony at Doltone House, Sydney, on Thursday, February 13.

Newcastle Herald acting editor Lisa Allan said Parris' work brought the discriminatory issue to national attention.

"It was through Michael Parris' tenacity, determination and commitment that this important story was told and a resolution ultimately achieved," she said.

"Michael followed the story's developments closely and approached the issue in a fair and balanced way, sometimes in the face of hostile opposition.

"This nod is a credit to his great work, and I join the entire Herald team in congratulating him on this well-deserved honour."

The Sport Australia Media Awards have been running since 2002 and are Australia's only awards dedicated to recognising excellence in sports journalism, broadcasting, production and photography.

Parris was selected as a finalist from more than 350 entries.

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