UoG student wins Football Writer of the Year award
University of Gloucestershire student Billy Taylor has received a prestigious accolade from the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) while rubbing shoulders with some of football’s biggest names and leading sports journalists.
Billy, who is studying a BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree, was named the winner of the FWA/Kick It Out Unheard Voices Student Football Writer of the Year Award, which recognises rising talents in sport journalism.
He received his award at the FWA’s Footballer of the Year dinner in London where other prize winners included Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who was named Player of the Year, and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, who won the Women’s Footballer of the Year Award.
The Unheard Voices category is run annually by the FWA in conjunction with Kick It Out, an organisation dedicated to tackling racism and discrimination in football.
The FWA were impressed by Billy’s entry describing his experiences covering football after being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when he was nine years old.
In the submission, Billy writes: “Since I’ve started university and my course, I’ve had challenges with bouts of anxiety before big games and media days, but I’ve always come out better for doing them, with every game or meeting getting easier.
“To anyone with autism or who’s neurodivergent, you can do it. Put yourself out there and fulfil your potential. Anything is possible if you take an opportunity by the scruff of the neck.
“The people I’ve met have helped me become a stronger person and have completely changed my mindset and confidence in myself.”
On being presented with his FWA award, Billy said: “I had an incredible experience at the FWA ceremony. It was amazing to meet so many amazing journalists that work in the sporting field and even meet a few famous faces.”
The BA (Hons) Sports Journalism programme had two other nominees, Lily-Ann Winney and George Townsend, across three student categories.
Brendan McLoughlin, BA (Hons) Sports Journalism Academic Course Leader, said: “We’d like to congratulate Billy on winning this prestigious prize. It is terrific achievement and testament to his hard work and rich potential.
“It was a particularly stellar year with three students nominated for various FWA awards, two of them making the final shortlists.
“Our course is deeply committed to developing sports journalists of the highest standard, offering opportunities to develop skills at a range of sports media outlets as well as motorsport teams and Premier League, WSL and EFL clubs.
“This is yet further evidence our students are acquiring the skills needed to flourish in this industry which we are so proud to be a part of.”