Katya Witney

A collection my journalism work over the last year

Last holiday in the Lakes

About Me

I am a freelance sports journalist with a particular interest in women's sport. Currently finishing my MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield alongside my Level 5 NCTJ Diploma.

Experienced in writing about and reporting on cricket, rugby and football in an international and domestic setting as well as long form features.

Bylines: The Telegraph, Wisden, The Cricketer, When Saturday Comes, Women in Football, CricketHER, Cricket Yorkshire, Sheffield Star, Sheffield Wire, The Tab Sheffield, Forge Press.

Current Role: Hundred Rising Reporter (Northern Superchargers)

Featured Articles

The articles I am most proud of writing over the past year. The first article is an interview with Faf du Plessis which was published in The Cricketer whilst I worked as a Hundred Rising Reporter. How the Hundred changed women's cricket forever was published by The Telegraph during a month long internship on the women's sports desk.  The Southern Vipers feature was written whilst on a placement at Wisden. I really enjoyed finding out how the Vipers have been so dominant since the regional structure was introduced and interviewing some of their key players. The 'Belles Toll' is a historical piece on Doncaster Belles' record-breaking 1991/2 season and was produced for When Saturday Comes magazine. Highlight of this piece was definitely interviewing the legendary Karen Walker.

Faf du Plessis: Experienced Northern Superchargers side let down by inconsistency | The Cricketer

Faf du Plessis: Experienced Northern Superchargers side let down by inconsistency

KATYA WITNEY: While both his and his side's performances haven't been up to scratch, the Northern Superchargers skipper has enjoyed his first taste of the "fast" format and the challenges of leading a franchise

After leaving the tournament early without playing a game last year, Faf du Plessis arrived at Headingley in July looking for a taste of the action he had previously watched his teammates enjoy from the si
The Telegraph •

How the Hundred changed women's cricket forever

Last summer, England’s brightest female cricketers were catapulted to the front of the nation’s cricketing consciousness, blared through our TV screens and cheered on by thousands of spectators. Whilst debates rage on about the wider consequences of the Hundred, the impact on the women's game is undeniable. One of the players at the centre of this whirlwind was Sophia Dunkley. Before the start of the competition, Dunkley was already enjoying a breakthrough summer. She had cemented her place in t
Wisden •

'We Don’t Want To Be In Second Place' - Inside The Southern Vipers Machine

Katya Witney speaks to the key protagonists behind the Southern Vipers machine, as English cricket’s most dominant side attempts to win their third Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in succession.

Against the backdrop of The County Ground in Northampton, bathed in sun, Southern Vipers captain Georgia Adams lifted the Charlotte Edwards Cup high over her head as her teammates celebrated around her. The triumphant smiles on the boundary edge at Northampton marked the culmination of a dominant campaign w

Sports

Portfolio of all my sports bylines including live blog archives from the last year.

BBC Sport •

Slater leads rise of Scots in women's cricket

This time last year, Rachel Slater had just made her debut in regional cricket for the Northern Diamonds. This year, she's been bowling in the Headingley nets with Australia international Mitchell Starc.

"He was like my idol growing up, so that was really cool and really useful and I definitely took a lot away from it. It was an unreal opportunity."

Slater, born in the United States, brought up in Leeds and who qualifies for Scotland through her Glasgow-born mother, is still only 20 but has en

Alyssa Healy: The Hundred has exceeded my expectations | The Cricketer

Alyssa Healy: The Hundred has exceeded my expectations

KATYA WITNEY: Healy, who missed the 2021 edition due to Covid restrictions and didn't quite know all of the rules ahead of her first match, opens up on the impact of the tournament, the pressure on overseas players and adjusting to new conditions

The indisputable positive of the first Hundred tournament was the acceleration it gave to the women's game, but there was one gaping hole left to fill: Australians.

Strict Covid-19 quarantine req

Faf du Plessis: Experienced Northern Superchargers side let down by inconsistency | The Cricketer

Faf du Plessis: Experienced Northern Superchargers side let down by inconsistency

KATYA WITNEY: While both his and his side's performances haven't been up to scratch, the Northern Superchargers skipper has enjoyed his first taste of the "fast" format and the challenges of leading a franchise

After leaving the tournament early without playing a game last year, Faf du Plessis arrived at Headingley in July looking for a taste of the action he had previously watched his teammates enjoy from the si
ESPNcricinfo •

Phil Salt assault leads Manchester Originals to Hundred record total

Manchester Originals wreaked havoc at Headingley on Sunday evening as they hammered a record score in 8he Hundred's short history - 208 for 5 - on the way to a 23-run win over Northern Superchargers.

The home side clawed their way back into contention after the opening blitz but Tristan Stubbs and Paul Walter saw Originals to only the competition's second total of 200 or more with 16 maximums, taking their side past the record number of sixes hit in an innings with ease.

In a new-look opening
ESPNcricinfo •

Northern Superchargers squeeze out London Spirit after Bess Heath fifty

Northern Superchargers claimed their first victory of the momen's Hundred as they edged out London Spirit by five runs at Headingley.

Spirit's pursuit of 128 was derailed when they lost two wickets in as many balls as star opener Beth Mooney was run out before Danielle Gibson top-edged Alice Davidson-Richards to fine leg. Superchargers continued to take wickets at key times to leave Spirit needing 13 off the final five and despite some excellent death batting from Sophie Luff the visitors fell
The Telegraph •

Ruthless Germany beat France to set up Wembley final against England

Good evening and welcome to tonight's Euros semi-final coverage... The action moves over to Milton Keynes tonight as two more of Europe’s best go head-to-head for a place at Wembley on Sunday. No strangers to a final, Germany, are looking to put their 2017 quarter-finals shock exit to bed in tonight's game as they head towards their ninth title. They booked their ticket into the semi-final with a close 2-0 win over Austria. Goals came from Lina Magull’s well-crafted run into the box which left h
The Telegraph •

Sweden's warning to England after stoppage-time winner sets up Euros semi-final

Tonight, we move up north to where Sweden meet Belgium as they battle it out for one of the remaining precious semi-final spots. Despite being dubbed favourites to win, Sweden have not taken home a European title since 1984. Peter Gerhardsson’s side are the highest-ranking team at the championship and hope to continue their run of 15 games unbeaten, with their last defeat at the Tokyo Olympic final last year by Canada on penalties. Ives Serneels’ Belgium side have succeeded their target of reach
The Telegraph •

Germany secure spot in Women's Euro 2022 semi-finals after Austria goalkeeper blunder

Germany carried their impressive group stage form into the knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Austria to reach the Euro 2022 semi-finals.

Germany went into the game having not conceded throughout the group stage - along with England - but unlike the host nation they sustained their record through an impressive quarter-final performance in Brentford.

Lina Magull capitalised on a well-crafted move from Germany to arrive on the ball unmarked and find the back of the net as the eight-time Europea
The Telegraph •

How the Hundred changed women's cricket forever

Last summer, England’s brightest female cricketers were catapulted to the front of the nation’s cricketing consciousness, blared through our TV screens and cheered on by thousands of spectators. Whilst debates rage on about the wider consequences of the Hundred, the impact on the women's game is undeniable. One of the players at the centre of this whirlwind was Sophia Dunkley. Before the start of the competition, Dunkley was already enjoying a breakthrough summer. She had cemented her place in t
Wisden •

'We Don’t Want To Be In Second Place' - Inside The Southern Vipers Machine

Katya Witney speaks to the key protagonists behind the Southern Vipers machine, as English cricket’s most dominant side attempts to win their third Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in succession.

Against the backdrop of The County Ground in Northampton, bathed in sun, Southern Vipers captain Georgia Adams lifted the Charlotte Edwards Cup high over her head as her teammates celebrated around her. The triumphant smiles on the boundary edge at Northampton marked the culmination of a dominant campaign w
CRICKETher •

MATCH REPORT: CE Cup Finals Day – McCaughan & Dean Carry Vipers Home

The Southern Vipers were crowned the winners of the Charlotte Edwards Cup in Northampton on Saturday as they swept aside qualifiers the Central Sparks on their way to the trophy.

An exciting finals day got underway with the County Ground bathed in sunshine and the Sparks taking on the South East Stars in a thrilling low-scoring contest for a place in the final.

It was carnage from the first over as Issy Wong dismissed Bryony Smith with her third delivery. This started an almighty top-order col
CRICKETher •

MATCH REPORT: Thunder v Lightning – Ecclestone 5fer Outclasses Lightning

Sophie Ecclestone took career-best figures of 5-15 as the Thunder outclassed Lightning at Old Trafford on Friday.

Tammy Beaumont was still absent from the Lightning line-up but after winning the toss and electing to bat, the Lightning batters’ intent was clear from the off.

Marie Kelly smashed three fours in the first over before she was bowled by Alex Hartley looking to hit the left-arm spinner for a second six over square-leg. Ecclestone then took two wickets in her first over, Ella Claridge
CRICKETher •

MATCH REPORT: Thunder v Vipers – Dean Bowls Vipers Directly To Charlotte Edwards Cup Final

The Southern Vipers charged into the final of the Charlotte Edwards Cup after thrashing the Thunder by six wickets at Old Trafford on Friday night.

With a few drops of rain in the air, Ellie Threlkeld won yet another toss and elected to bat. Despite the Vipers being the favourites having won four from four in the tournament, the return of Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone to the side bolstered the home side’s chances.

But the Thunder’s innings failed to ever really get going thanks to some tigh
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News Articles

Portfolio of my news article bylines in the Sheffield Wire, Derbyshire Times and Sheffield Tab as well as university work

Sheffield Wire •

Should England ban smacking children?

Were you smacked as a child? If yes, then you were one of 93% of UK adults who said they were smacked by their parents according to a YouGov survey.

Whilst this statistic may be alarming just 64% of adults admitted to physically punishing their own child. Of this number, 49% found it actually increased positive behaviour in the child.

“We grew up in a family of seven and discipline was just part of our upbringing and that was definitely not a bad thing. It was not used aggressively, it was jus
Sheffield Wire •

Is the new HIV breakthrough really a cure for all?

The cures available to date:

All three HIV cures so far have used stem cells. The first two patients were given stem cells using bone marrow transplants.

A bone marrow transplant is an extremely physically demanding procedure and both patients cured using this were in hospital for months and developed multiple infections. One nearly died and the other lost 70 pounds in weight.

Bone marrow transplants require a successful match with a donor who has a genetic mutation meaning they cannot be inf

The young people calling for better education on the climate crisis in schools

On the 23rd of November 2021, a group of teenagers congregated outside Parliament. As they posed for photos next to the famous building, passers-by could be forgiven for thinking they were tourists, or even on a school trip. Not many school trips, however, pose for photos with Jeremy Corbyn or are welcomed into Parliament by senior Labour MPs. Even more exceptional was the reason they were being invited into the chambers.

The teenagers were about to listen to the first reading of The Climate Ed

'Miraculous’ recovery for Chesterfield man who suffered 'catastrophic' injuries after being hit by car

Harry Rickels, 31, said: “When we arrived at A&E, they took me and my mum straight into the family room and just said, ‘Sorry your dad has been hit by a car and he has sustained a catastrophic head injury. He is not likely to survive, there is no operation that can save him.”

“When she went to say goodbye to him, she took her mask down and went to go and kiss him on the forehead, and he pursed his lips, so she gave him a kiss on his lips. The nurse who was there cried; she said she just couldn’
University of Sheffield •

'She threw up outside her front door': Sheffield's worst dating stories

‘My Tinder date took me on his drug runs’

As the season of love rolls around again and endless Instagram stories of annoyingly happy couples fill your phone, you might begin to question whether to re-download that dating app you got rid of before Christmas. What harm can it do? You might tell yourself.

Well, to balance out the social media PDA’s we asked Sheffield students for their dating horror stories and from their responses, Sheffield’s dating scene definitely does not pass the vibe check
University of Sheffield •

Uni of Sheffield and Hallam sports clubs to stand in solidarity with Night In Campaign

Sober socials, charity events and consent lectures will replace university sports team’s night out this Wednesday

Sports societies at Uni of Sheffield and Hallam are supporting a call to boycott all Sheffield clubs on Wednesday 27 October in response to recent spiking incidents.

University sports teams are holding sober socials instead of going out to support the #SheffieldNightIn campaign. They have joined the boycott enthusiastically and swapped the usual fancy dress Wednesday sports nights

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