Widely considered the ‘Oscars of the industry’ and organised by the Sports Journalists’ Association, the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards celebrate excellence across more than 30 categories, including print, digital and broadcast media.
Annabel, a BA (Hons) Photography (Documentary Photojournalism) graduate, received her award at the Sports Journalists’ Association Gala Night at the London Palladium on 27 April.
Annabel’s winning portfolio included the reaction of American pole vaulter Katie Moon and a dynamic action shot of Finnish heptathlete Saga Vanninen, alongside images of Wales versus England in the Six Nations Rugby Championship and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina serving at the WTA Queen’s Club Championships.
Now a Liverpool-based freelancer, Annabel was part of the World Athletics Media Academy and captured two of her winning images at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September 2025.
Annabel said: “Winning this prestigious award in my first year after graduating from University of Gloucestershire means a great deal to me.
“I would like to thank my lecturers and technicians for shaping me into the photographer I am today; I wouldn’t be where I am without their tutorage and support.
“I enjoy capturing athletes competing at the height of their abilities and how it impacts them, as well as capturing the sense of community it creates in teams and fans.
“In the future I would love to go on to shoot a major football tournament, for example the European Football Championships or the World Cup and an Olympic Games.”
Trudie Ballantyne, Senior Lecturer and Co-Course Leader for BA Photography (Documentary Photojournalism) and BA Photography (Editorial and Advertising), said: “Massive congratulations to Annabel Lee-Ellis on winning the Canon Young Sports Photographer of the Year Award 2025.
“We’re extremely proud to see her fantastic achievement. It’s so inspiring for our community of alumni, current and incoming students to see what our graduates can and do achieve.
“Bel has covered many major sporting events including Women’s Super League matches, Six Nations Rugby and the World Athletics Championships. Not only is she an accomplished sports photographer, she is an excellent documentary photographer, telling great stories about people place and society.
“The course gave her the opportunity to explore how to access and form a coherent visual narrative across many different stories in her Final Major Project photo book, from an Elvis Festival in Porthcawl to a Vintage festival by the sea in Morecambe.
“Bel was completely dedicated to her studies, worked hard throughout and is now excelling in her chosen field so soon after graduating.”
