Obituary: Vikki Orvice

The University is saddened to hear that alumna Vikki Orvice has passed away at the age of 56. Vikki studied a BA English and graduated in 1984. Vikki was The Sun’s first ever sports female sports writer and one of the few women to write about sport in a national newspaper at the time.

A former Arts Editor on the Ripple, Vikki’s journalism career began in local news writing with a two year apprenticeship with the Wakefield Express after her postgraduate study in her hometown of Sheffield. From there she moved to Bristol and The Western Daily Press and would often drive to London at weekends for freelance shifts at The Daily Mail and The Observer

After a year freelancing at weekends Vikki received her big break when The Daily Mail offered her six weeks’ worth of shifts. Sport reporting was still her first love and Vikki continually pestered the sports desk to let her cover matches. They finally agreed and in August 1992 she covered Norwich City’s victory over Arsenal on the first day of the Premier League.

In 1995 she was approached by The Sun, who offered her the position of football writer. The first women to be employed at a tabloid newspaper in this position.

Vikki was heavily involved in establishing the Women in Football organisation, as well as serving as the Vice-Chair of the Football Writers’ Association. She was also a mentor for many women journalists making their way in the industry

Vikki regularly attended the University’s Women of Influence events, a networking event for women making a significant impact on the world through their high aspirations and career successes, alongside other outstanding female graduates from the University. 

Read more on our alumni site.