SUCCESS FOR ‘EXCEPTIONAL’ SWANN
SPORTSMAIL’S Graham Swann has been named the best young sports writer in Scotland after lifting this year’s prestigious Jim Rodger Memorial Award. Graham, who joined the Scottish Daily
Mail as a graduate trainee, was described by the judges as submitting ‘exceptional’ entries and of writing with a ‘depth of understanding and maturity that went far beyond his 26 years’. The first of Graham’s articles was a ‘fascinating’ profile of Scottish athlete Andrew Butchart, who participated in the Rio Olympics of 2016.
His second article took the form of the verdict on Ian Cathro’s tenure at Hearts and was, according to the judges, an ‘at times frank assessment’ of the manager’s spell in charge at Tynecastle.
Scottish Daily Mail editor Andy Harries said: ‘I am delighted that Graham’s talents have been recognised with this award and am particularly pleased because Graham is a graduate of the Daily Mail trainee programme. ‘The Jim Rodger Memorial Award is a prestigious honour and is recognition of Graham’s sterling work. ‘It is well deserved and he can feel rightly proud.’ The award was set up in 1997 to honour the late veteran journalist Jim Rodger and is supported by the leading newspapers of Scotland and the Journalists’ Charity.
Scottish Daily Mail Head of Sport Lorne Gardner said: ‘The entire team on the sports desk is thrilled that Graham’s hard work and talent has been rewarded in this way. ‘He is an excellent young writer and is carving a name for himself within Scottish sports journalism.’