LEADING SPORTS journalist Darren Lewis has been named as the new president of the influential Sports Journalists’ Association (SJA).

Lewis, the assistant editor of the Daily Mirror will succeed the legendary Patrick Collins, who stepped down at the SJA’s Annual General Meeting in April after serving in the role for eight years. The appointment is set to be formally ratified at the Association’s next AGM.

Lewis started out in local news journalism in 1995 before joining the Mirror in 2000 as a football writer. He went on to become a columnist for the newspaper and took on a senior role on the football desk.

He has been included on the prestigious Football Black List three times, most recently in 2017, and was appointed to the Football Writers’ Association national committee in September 2018.

Lewis was promoted to the role of assistant editor at the Mirror in September 2020.

Darren has the respect of every part of the sports media

Leon Mann MBE, vice chair of the SJA

A long-time contributor to talkSPORT and Premier League Productions, he became a regular on the Super Sunday Matchday programme on Sky Sports News in August 2021. More recently, he has taken on the role of senior sports analyst for CNN Sport.

Lewis said: “It is a massive honour to accept such a prestigious role and, in doing so, succeed the legendary, much-loved Patrick Collins.

“I’d like to extend a big thank you to the SJA and to all of the people behind the scenes who work so tirelessly to represent sports journalism.

“I look forward to joining their ongoing work to embrace the rapidly-changing face of our industry.

“I’d like to pay particular tribute to my print, digital and broadcast colleagues across all sports – past and present – who not only strive to represent competitors on the issues that matter, but also care passionately about opening doors and creating pathways to ensure sports journalism is for everyone.”

SJA chair Ashley Broadley said: “We are delighted to welcome Darren as the SJA’s new president-elect.

“Having started in local newspapers before moving to the nationals, he now works across multiple platforms in the industry.

“He brings some wonderful experience and knowledge to the organisation, as well as being a fantastic inspiration.”

Leon Mann MBE, vice chair of the SJA, added: “Darren has the respect of every part of the sports media – from long-established writers and broadcasters to ambitious young and diverse newcomers from under-represented backgrounds.

“We are very lucky to have Darren as our president-elect and I am delighted the SJA continues to modernise and ensure it is relevant and effective.”