Scottish Press Awards Journalist of the Year 2022

HEATHER DEWAR (T '93), STRATHALLIAN AN D ESTEEMED SPORTS JOURNALIST AND PRESENTER WAS RECOGNISED AT THE S COTTISH P RESS AWARDS IN 2022 FOR THE AMAZING WORK SHE HAS DONE TO RAISE THE POPULARITY AND REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN ’ S FOOT BALL IN THE MEDIA . As well as Journalist of the Year she also received Sports News Writer of the Year, and came runner up in Interviewer of the Year, Sports Feature Writer of the Year and the Nicola Barry award.

The awards came after Heather had gone through a difficult time during COVID-19 having been cast aside as a freelancer during the pandemic. She found herself on Universal Credit and living off a credit card. She explained that she fell through every loophole and could only look on in envy at those fortunate enough to be furloughed.

After receiving the awards Heather posted a heartfelt thank you on her Linkedin profile describing how much these awards meant to her.

“It was a hard, hard time. I’d fought back against much adversity in my lifetime, but this was on a different level - one where I had little or no control. Then, one day, the Scottish Daily Mail threw me a lifeline. Having never written for a newspaper before, they asked if I would like to do some work with them on women’s sport. Thrilled to be given the opportunity, I jumped at the chance.

I want to say thank you to everyone who played a part in my writing. I simply couldn’t have done it without you, and without the trust you put in me to tell your stories. A huge thanks too to all the judges for giving me this incredible honour. A mighty thanks to the Daily Mail for all they’ve done for me in the last few years.

Sometimes, it’s worth taking a risk. It’s worth moving outside your comfort zone. Some people will never realise your worth. So don’t wait around for them to do so. There is always a different path. And sometimes, when you take it, you realise the weight of your worth is heavy.”

Heathers career in TV and radio broadcasting has spanned over twenty years which has seen her work across every discipline in radio broadcasting. She now produces and hosts a women’s sport podcast on BBC Sounds, writes for national titles, and reports from football grounds around the country on a regular basis. Heather became BBC Scotland’s first ever Women’s Sport Reporter in 2019 and is a passionate advocate for women’s sport. In 2021, Heather also joined the board of the Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) where she actively plays a role in raising the profile of female fans and acting as an advocate for women and girls involvement in the game.