Wollongbar writer a football finalist
Wollongbar-based football writer Christian Layland has recently been announced as a finalist for the FFDU Australian Football Supporters Awards in the ‘Blogger of the Year’ category.
Christian, who writes for The Football Sack has been selected as one of three finalists after two stages of nominations and voting by the Australian football community but will have his work cut out as he is up against ‘Mr Football’ himself, SBS’s Les Murray.
The awards ceremony will be held in Sydney on June 3 and although not expecting any upsets to go his way, Christian will be looking forward to rubbing shoulders with some of the other nominees on the night including football media legends Michael Lynch and Sebastian Hassett.
“To be honest, I’m still shocked. Initially I was honoured simply to be nominated in the early rounds, but when the finalists were announced and I saw my name next to Les [Murray] I was speechless,” he said.
“I’ve been receiving emails, Facebook posts and text messages offering congratulations for the past few days now, and it gives you a bit of a buzz knowing there are people out there who consider you in that calibre of writers.”
Currently studying Business and Sports Management at Southern Cross University, the 21-year-old is fast making waves in the field of sports journalism and is loving every minute of the journey.
“Without doubt, the highlight so far was having a one-on-one interview with ex-Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, which was incredible. Though talking to Brisbane Roar skipper Matt McKay underneath Suncorp Stadium mere minutes after holding aloft the A-League Champions trophy definitely came close!” he said.
The Football Sack, celebrating their first birthday on Sunday (May 8th) has also been selected as finalist in three other categories including Football Website of the Year, Best use of Social Media and Podcast of the Year.
Starting as a blog between two friends on the Far North Coast, The Football Sack has seen enormous growth in its maiden year, with 25 staff currently around Australia forging its way into the mainstream football media.
It now holds media accreditation with Football Federation Australia and is the Official Media Partner of Football Federation Victoria.
