North-East Football Writers’ Association 

 Sunderland have claimed a prestigious North-East Football Writers’ Association (NEFWA) double for 2025, with Dan Ballard and Katie Kitching both scooping top honours.

Black Cats defender Ballard has been named the NEFWA Player of the Year, while Kitching has been crowned Women’s Player of the Year.

Both will be presented with their trophies at the association’s annual awards dinner -sponsored by leading mechanical and electrical contractor H. Malone – at the Ramside Hall Hotel on Sunday, March 1.

A first in nearly a decade

Ballard is the first Sunderland player to win the coveted award in nine years, breaking Newcastle United’s four-year stranglehold on the trophy. He follows in the footsteps of Alexander Isak, who was honoured last year before leaving Newcastle for Liverpool.

Images: Sunderland AFC

Ballard said: “I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award – it really means a lot. The last year has been nothing short of unbelievable, from that moment in the play-off semi-final to winning at Wembley as we did, and then everything that has followed.

“Those are memories I’ll carry with me forever. None of it happens without my teammates, the staff and the supporters who’ve been with us every step of the way.

“To now be playing in the Premier League with Sunderland and to receive recognition from the North-East Football Writers makes it even more special. It’s been a dream-like year, and I’m proud to share this moment with everyone connected to the club.”

A Pivotal Role in Promotion

In addition to a stunning start to life in the Premier League, Ballard was recognised for his pivotal role in Sunderland’s promotion-winning campaign last season.

His contribution will be forever etched in Stadium of Light history thanks to his last-ditch winning header in the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final against Coventry City – a goal that ultimately paved the way for a return to the top-flight.

Ballard’s heroics continued at Wembley, where his towering presence helped defeat Sheffield United in the final.

The defender pipped Newcastle’s Dan Burn to the award, with Burn’s teammate Sandro Tonali finishing in third. Ballard becomes the 12th Sunderland player to claim the title in its 46-year history, following Jermain Defoe in 2016.

NEFWA Women’s Player of the Year

The inspirational Kitching, meanwhile, has been rewarded for a fantastic 12 months in the Women’s Super League 2. The 27-year-old is Sunderland’s first winner since Tori Williams in 2017, ending Durham Women’s seven-year monopoly on the award.

The New Zealand international was Sunderland’s 2024-25 player of the season, praised for her athletic, box-to-box midfield performances.

Kitching secured the most votes ahead of Newcastle’s Beth Lumsden and Durham’s Beth Hepple. Her standout campaign included the winning goal in a 2-1 River Wear derby victory over Durham in September.

Images: Sunderland AFC

Earlier this week, it was announced that Kitching’s teammate Katy Watson had won the NEFWA Young Women’s Player of the Year, while Newcastle’s Lewis Miley claimed the men’s equivalent.

The awards night will also feature the presentation of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation/NEFWA Personality of the Year award. Past winners include Alan Shearer, Jill Scott, and current holder Gary Bennett.

Awards Night and Fundraising

Funds will be raised for Sir Bobby’s foundation on the evening, where the Bob Cass and John Fotheringham awards will also be presented for ‘outstanding services to North-East football’ to two unsuspecting recipients.

This year’s event also sees the introduction of a new Non-League Personality of the Year award, also sponsored by H. Malone.

*Tickets for the North-East Football Writers’ Association annual dinner at the Ramside Hall Hotel and Spa in Durham on March 1 are available from claire.stephen@ramsidehallhotel.co.uk.