Mail on Sunday writer is inaugural winner of the award for his coverage of the events at last year’s UEFA Champions League final in Paris
Congratulations to Rob Draper of the Mail on Sunday for becoming the first winner of the FWA / FedEx European Football Writer of the Year. Rob was named as the winner for his outstanding coverage of last year’s UEFA Champions League Final in Paris, a decision made by a prestigious judging panel consisting of Gary Lineker, Jacqui Oatley, Mike Allen and Executive Secretary of the FWA, Paul McCarthy.
Rob was presented with his award at our annual Footballer of the Year dinner on Thursday May 25 by Kaat Vanderheyde, Managing Director of Brand, Advertising & Sponsorship at FedEx Express. Rob said: “A huge thank you to the FWA and FedEx for their inaugural European Football Writer of the Year award. It’s a massive honour to be recognised for work on last year’s Champions League final.”
FedEx Express, a sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, became an official partner of the FWA at the beginning of the 22/23 season and has been working with the organisation to recognise the important role journalists play in football.
Over 100 journalists entered the new award by submitting published content from across the season. Entries were judged by a star-studded panel with candidates rated for their originality, creativity, and depth of analysis.
The FWA partnership is a fresh approach to traditional sponsorship for FedEx, with a focus on utilising the resources and expertise of both organisations to support the excellent work done by football writers across Europe.
Brenda McWilliams, Vice President of Communications, Brand & Marketing Operations, FedEx Express, said: “Our sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League creates opportunities to connect with people all over the world through the passion and emotion football evokes, and our partnership with the FWA builds on that. Football journalists play a key role in communicating with supporters, and it is important to us that they are both supported and recognised for the work they do to enrich the game.”
FWA Executive Secretary, Paul McCarthy, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number and quality of the entrants, it just shows the depth of talent within the FWA ranks and their coverage of European football. The judges all admitted how difficult a job we faced, but Rob’s coverage of one of the biggest stories of the last 12 months was exemplary.”
For more information on FedEx Express’ UEFA Champions League sponsorship please visit the FedEx website.
