Vikki Orvice fundraising dinner

Posted on November 9, 2019 by FWA editor

A gift to you from our birthday girl.

The FWA’s first female vice-chair, Vikki Orvice, should have celebrated her 57th birthday on Friday.

Sadly we can’t mark the occasion with Vikki this year as she passed away in February. Instead we will celebrate her life with a fundraising dinner on Wednesday (13th) for the The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Ahead of the fundraiser, a number of generous donations from the world of sport, entertainment, literature, fine dining and fashion have been placed in a live online auction.

Vikki’s husband Ian Ridley and the organising committee, featuring our chair Carrie Brown, National Committee members Jacqui Oatley, Philippe Auclair and Jo Tongue, have been inundated with offers of once-in-a-lifetime and money-can’t-buy experiences from celebrated names.

They can be found at:

https://givergy.uk/anightofcelebration/?controller=home

We would like to thank those in the football family who have donated so generously, including Sky Sports, Chelsea, Arsenal, Watford, Tony Currie and Sheffield United, Gary Lineker with BBC Match of the Day, Tony Adams, the Football Association, the Premier League, ITV Sport, BBC Radio Four, The Sun, The Sunday Times, Richard Pelham and, of course, The FWA. You have wowed with your kindness and creativity.

For our Strava fanatics, there are places on offer in the Virgin Money London Marathon, four tickets to the opening night of Six Day cycling series at the Olympic Velodrome – where you will enjoy top seats in the middle of the track itself – and VIP tickets to the 2020 Muller Anniversary Games.

The entertainment industry has followed suit with Hat Trick Productions providing just one of the many treats up for offer. Politics may have descended into satire but one lucky bidder will be able to seek refuge safe in the bosom of the Have I Got News For You green room. Theatre lovers can bid to attend a Bill Kenwright show.

Avid sports memorabilia collectors can bid for a signed shirt from this summer’s cricket hero Ben Stokes , intimidate with a boxing glove signed by one of the sport’s greatest – Anthony Joshua or claim a prized signed shirt from the Premier League’s finest.

Do dive in and have a look. We won’t give away all the treasures on offer. There is truly something for everyone and we are beyond grateful for the generosity and support afforded to the evening.

Happy bidding.

FWA Live North East Special – POSTPONED

Posted on November 8, 2019 by FWA editor

FWA Live North East Special – POSTPONED until 2020

The FWA are sorry to announce that we have had to postpone the FWA Live North East Special in Durham, which was planned for this Thursday November 21, owing to circumstances beyond our control.

Instead the event, which will feature representatives from Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United has been put back until after Christmas.

Those attendees who have bought their tickets via Eventbrite should get a full refund in due course.

Vikki Orvice celebration night at Lord’s

Posted on October 17, 2019 by FWA editor

Just a reminder that there are still a few tickets remaining for the gala night at Lord’s on November 13 to celebrate the life of our dear departed colleague Vikki Orvice.

Vikki sadly died of cancer in February after several years of treatment. We plan to spend the evening remembering the highlights of Vikki’s working life as a trailblazing sports journalist, while raising vital funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, via auction and raffle. Many fantastic prizes have already been pledged, and there will be spectacular live music and entertainment, as well as superb food and drinks.

Vikki was the first female vice-chair of the FWA and a significant influence on our organisation over many years. She was a driving force for the changing face of the association in terms of inclusivity and we owe much to her pioneering spirit. This is your chance to pay your respects to Vikki while enjoying an evening of laughter and entertainment amongst colleagues and sportspeople.

Please click on the link below to buy your tickets for a three course meal with wine. You have the option to buy tickets on an individual basis or a table of 10. Sponsorship and corporate packages are also on sale directly via the link.

Every penny raised will support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

https://ti.to/the-royal-marsden/vikkiorvice .

For any queries, please contact the Royal Marsden’s special events manager, Emma Payne, on Emma.Payne@rmh.nhs.uk or 020 7811 8021. We very much hope to see you at Lord’s on November 13th.

FWA Vanarama Golf Day winners

Posted on October 15, 2019 by FWA editor

Kate Mason, one of the FWA’s newest members, was the proud winner of the Joe Melling Trophy at our annual golf day, sponsored by Vanarama, at Stoke Park on October 7^th.

Kate, who left BeIn Sports to join Sky Sports News earlier this year, is relatively new to golf and was the only female player in this year’s event.

Playing in the Hayters team alongside Gerry Cox, Les Ferdinand and Jamie Weir, Kate scored 32 Stableford points, the highest individual score by an FWA member, edging Neil Silver into second place.

There was also debut success for Mike Keegan of the Mail, whose fourball won the team prize. Mike was also playing in the event for the first time, with former Barnsley chairman John Dennis, as well as Andrew Lane and Niall Ashworth from Vpar, who provided the live scoring system.

The individual non-FWA member’s prize went to Stephen Hunt, the former Reading and Republic of Ireland midfielder, who scored a superb 42 points from three-quarters handicap.

Other names from the world of football included former England internationals Steve Coppell, Kevin Phillips and Andy Sinton, ex-Scotland players Bryan Gunn and John Duncan, Matt Jansen, Wally Downes, Paul Clement, Lee Cook and Michael Gray.

The day was generously sponsored once again by Vanarama, whose team was led by marketing director Gary Lemon, and there was a presentation from Jake Martens of Prostate Cancer UK, as we remembered our great friend Ralph Ellis, who enjoyed and organised the event for so many years before he passed away last year.

Steve Bates and Gerry Cox of the FWA National Committee have taken over organisational duties. A substantial sum was also raised for Prostate Cancer UK, and further online donations can be made here: http://bit.ly/2kysOnP

For more about Vanarama visit: https://www.vanarama.com/

For more on VPAR visit: http://vpar.com/

Rodrigo Lara of Hayters TV put together a video of the event: https://youtu.be/z4ZQpdEz07k

Jamie Weir, Kate Mason, Les Ferdinand and Gerry Cox of Team Hayters

Reid and Robson honoured by FWA

Posted on October 11, 2019 by FWA editor

PETER REID and BRYAN ROBSON, two of England’s finest midfielders and later successful managers in the North East, were honoured as North East Legends by Football Writers’ Association on October 10th at the Ramside Hall in Durham.

The award is in recognition of the contribution the two men made as managers in North East football, as they helped to put Middlesbrough and Sunderland on the football map in the formative years of the Premier League.

Two of their most famous former players from Sunderland and Middlesbrough, Kevin Phillips and Nigel Pearson, paid tribute on the night, taking part in a Q&A session on stage with Simon Crabtree, one of the region’s most popular broadcasters.

After his record-breaking playing career with WBA, Manchester United and England, Robson went on to become player-manager of Boro. He later signed Phillips when he was manager of West Brom, his first club.

Shortly afterwards Peter Reid took over at Sunderland and led them from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light and into the Premier League.

In front of a sell-out audience, the two swapped stories about their days playiing against each other in youth football, then at senior level and also as England team-mates, before working closely as managers.

The evening, supported by our title sponsors William Hiill, was a great success and raised a considerable sum for charity.

Please visit our YouTube channel for interviews and footage from the evening.https://youtu.be/Ljx18mM4pbc

Our thanks to Colin Young and Paul Hetherington for organising the evening, to Claire Stephen and staff at Ramside Hall, and to our sponsors William Hill.

Ken Jones funeral details

Posted on October 7, 2019 by FWA editor

The funeral of our former Chairman and colleague Ken Jones will be on Tuesday 22nd October 2019, at 11:45am At Beckenham Crematorium, Elmers End Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 4TD

Followed by a reception at 12.45 at Chelsfield Lakes Golf Centre, Court Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9BX

Family flowers only please

Please make charity donations to Reach.org.uk

Pathways for BAME journalists Panel, October 2nd

Posted on September 24, 2019 by FWA editor

The FWA is delighted to partner with Snack Media for a special event next Wed Oct 2, from 6-9.30pm at 106-109 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8QS.

We will be discussing routes into the sports media for journalists from BAME backgrounds. A top panel will share their pathways and experiences, led by moderator Leon Mann, along with fellow FWA members Joel Beya, Vaishali Bhardwaj and Sami Mokbel. Tickets are free for FWA members and the £15 fee for non-members will be refunded for anyone who signs up to the FWA.

Full details and tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/football-writers-association-opening-the-door-to-bame-journalists-tickets-64426612733

We look forward to seeing you on the night.

North East Legends to be honoured on Oct 10

Posted on September 18, 2019 by FWA editor

ENGLAND LEGENDS TO BE HONOURED IN NORTH EAST

BRYAN ROBSON and Peter Reid, two of England’s finest midfielders and later successful managers in the North East, will be presented with a Legend Awards by the North East Football Writers’ Association on October 10th at the Ramside Hall in Durham.

The inaugural award is in recognition of the contribution the two men made as managers in North East football, as they helped to put Middlesbrough and Sunderland on the football map in the formative years of the Premier League.

Two of their most famous former players from Sunderland and Middlesbrough, Kevin Phillips and Nigel Pearson, will also join in on the tribute night taking part in a Q&A session on stage with Simon Crabtree, one of the region’s most popular broadcasters

Phillips made his name at Sunderland when he was signed by Reid, the former Bolton and Everton midfielder, in 1997, scoring 130 goals in 235 games.

Pearson was Robbo’s captain at Middlesbrough after joining the club when they were still at Ayresome Park, and captained Boro to two promotions to the Premier League and in their first FA Cup Final and League Cup Final appearances at Wembley before his retirement in 1998. He later went on to success as manager of Leicester City.

Tickets are £45 for the R&R Reid and Robson North East Legends Award Night at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa on Thursday October 10 and £400 for a table of ten.

Contact Claire Stephen on 0191 375 3080 or claire.stephen@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

Also, Colin Young, NEFWA secretary via cysportsmedia@gmail.com

The event is supported by William Hill, title sponsors of the FWA.

Vikki Orvice Celebration – Nov 13 at Lord’s

Posted on September 11, 2019 by FWA editor

We are pleased to announce a special evening to celebrate the life of our dear friend and FWA vice chair Vikki Orvice, and would like to invite you to buy tickets for this star-studded event, on Wednesday November 13th 2019 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in the Nursery Pavilion.

https://ti.to/the-royal-marsden/vikkiorvice

A Night of Celebration in Memory of Vikki Orvice

ti.to

Join us to celebrate the life of our beloved Vikki Orvice, a founding member of Women in Football, Sun sportswriter and vice-chair of the Football Writers’ Association. Vikki was a trailblazer for female journalists and a great friend to all who knew her. Every penny raised will support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

For any queries, please contact the Royal Marsden’s special events manager, Emma Payne, on Emma.Payne@rmh.nhs.uk or 020 7811 8021.

We very much hope to see you at Lord’s on November 13th.

FWA Vanarama Golf Day – Oct 7th

Posted on September 3, 2019 by FWA editor

FWA and Vanarama team up again for annual Golf Day at Stoke Park, October 7

We are delighted to announce that Vanarama, the vehicle leasing company, are continuing their sponsorship of the FWA Golf Day, which will again be held this year at the magnificent Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire on Monday October 7th.
The day will follow the same format as previous years, with bacon butties and coffee on arrival from 8.30am, and tee-times on the first and tenth from 10.am until 11.30. The format again is stableford fourballs off ¾ handicap, with the best two scores on each hole counting for the team prize. There is also an individual competition for FWA members only, who will compete for the Joe Melling trophy, in honour of our former Chairman. There will be a prize-giving dinner starting at around 4.30pm.
Places are limited, so if you wish either to enter a team, bring a guest or play as an individual please e-mail gerry.cox@hayters.com to register your interest. Please include details of handicaps for you and guests, and any special dietary requirements.

Once again we will be supporting Prostate Cancer UK in honour of our former colleague and friend Ralph Ellis, who organised the Golf Day until his untimely passing last year.

Ralph will be in our thoughts as we enjoy one of the best days in the FWA’s social calendar.

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