News Associates trainee wins student football writer of the year award

News Associates remote course trainee Carly Lyes has won the Football Writers’ Association Vikki Orvice Student Football Writer of the Year award.

FWA Vikki Orvice Student Football Writer of the Year, Carly, with short blonde hair and sunglasses on her head wearing a black Red Devils t-shirt standing with her hands on her hips smiling up at the camera from the stands of a stadium with the pitch behind her. — *Award-winning journalist Carly Lyes*

Carly won the award for her article on George Best’s house in Bramell, Cheshire, which you can read here.

Carly said: “It is a real honour to have won the FWA Vikki Orvice Student Football Writer of the Year Award.

“The start of my journalism career has come over 25 years after I first decided I wanted to be a journalist as a teenager. I never had the confidence previously to follow my passion, but took the jump aged 40 by joining a remote course at News Associates.

“To have my potential recognised by such an amazing organisation as the Football Writers’ Association has been overwhelming.

“I hope it shows those who are thinking of moving into journalism but may be struggling with the confidence and self-belief to do so that it’s never too late to make the move.

“There are brilliant journalism schools and organisations who will help you along they way, and you just never know what you might be able to achieve unless you try!”

Absolutely buzzing and pretty blown away to share the news that I’ve been selected as Female Student Football Writer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association. To paraphrase a great man on a great night: “Football writing eh? Bloody hell!” https://t.co/XNSRnvx8hv

— Carly Lyes (@Carly_Lyes) May 14, 2025

Beat Media Group managing editor James Toney said: “Congratulations to Carly, winning this award, which honours Vikki, one of sports journalism true pioneers, marks her out as a star for the future.”

News Associates deputy managing editor Graham Dudman said: “We couldn’t be prouder of Carly. This award is recognition of a great talent with a bright future.

“Carly is always front and centre of sessions on our remote course where she is thriving.”

Winners will receive their awards and prizes, including £1,000, mentorship, and the chance to attend a match at Wembley, at the FWA Footballer of the Year dinner in London on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

You might also be interested in… News Associates trainee wins the FWA Hugh McIlvanney Student Football Writer of the Year award.