Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship launched in honour of late Herald Sun journalist

Key facts

• Sam Landsberger, 35, died suddenly in 2024.
• He was a sports journalist at the Herald Sun and won a Quill Award.
• The Fellowship is a partnership between the Herald Sun, Melbourne Press Club, and Western Bulldogs.
• The program targets western suburb residents who are school leavers or university graduates.
• Sam's father, Dr Jake Landsberger, has been the Western Bulldogs' long-time doctor.
• Landsberger previously lectured at Monash University and tutored colleagues like Josh Barnes.

A fellowship to honour a rising star

The Herald Sun, in partnership with the Melbourne Press Club and the Western Bulldogs, has established the Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship, a tribute to the journalist who died suddenly in 2024 at the age of 35. The fellowship aims to nurture the next generation of sports reporters, reflecting Landsberger's own passion for mentoring young talent. Landsberger was widely regarded as one of the best in his profession, having won a Quill Award for his work. His colleagues remember him as a kind and infectious personality with an incredible gift for storytelling.

A partnership rooted in community and sport

The fellowship is a joint initiative between the Herald Sun, the Melbourne Press Club, and the Western Bulldogs, the Australian rules football club based in Melbourne's western suburbs. It will offer residents of the western suburbs—whether school leavers or university graduates—an opportunity to immerse themselves in sports reporting. The Western Bulldogs' involvement is particularly meaningful: Sam's father, Dr Jake Landsberger, has served as the club's doctor for many years. The family's deep ties to the club and the community underscore the fellowship's local focus.

A father's emotional tribute

Dr Jake Landsberger said he burst into tears when he learned of the honour being bestowed on his son. 'The whole family is incredibly honoured and proud,' he said. 'It has been a bittersweet time all the way through. An honour like this and to see it happen on a regular basis and to see his name continue to be talked about – I couldn't ask for more.' He recalled Sam's dedication to mentoring younger journalists, noting that after graduating, Sam lectured at Monash University and tutored colleagues such as Josh Barnes. 'If this can bring about and encourage young people who can be the next Sam Landsberger or two or three, I couldn't be prouder,' Dr Landsberger added.

A legacy of journalistic excellence

Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Jay Clark paid tribute to his former colleague, describing him as an incredible journalist. 'He was compassionate, brilliant in his detail, and he wrote with an unmistakeable flair. We miss him dearly, but he inspires us daily, too,' Clark said. Clark emphasised that the fellowship aims to ignite the same passion and journalistic skill in young writers. 'Sam set a high bar we strive to match in every story. This Fellowship will hopefully ignite the same passion and journalistic skill for the next wave of top young journos and sports writers.'

A bittersweet honour with lasting impact

The fellowship ensures that Landsberger's name will continue to be associated with excellence in sports journalism. By focusing on the western suburbs, the program also addresses a geographic area that may have limited access to such opportunities. Dr Landsberger expressed hope that the fellowship would produce multiple future journalists who embody his son's dedication. 'He loved working with younger people,' he said. 'It was his passion.'

The bottom line

• The Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship was created by the Herald Sun, Melbourne Press Club, and Western Bulldogs.
• It honours Sam Landsberger, a Quill Award-winning journalist who died in 2024 at age 35.
• The fellowship targets western suburb residents who are school leavers or university graduates.
• Sam's father, Dr Jake Landsberger, is the Western Bulldogs' long-time doctor and expressed deep pride in the honour.
• Landsberger was known for mentoring young journalists, including lecturing at Monash University.
• The program aims to inspire the next generation of sports reporters in the tradition of Landsberger's passion and skill.