Two Arsenal fans, Lee Astley from Barking and Karel Ikobonga from Newham are celebrating after being selected for the first SunSport Diversity Training Scholarship.

The two budding journalists have each won a 40-week scholarship, worth £7,500, with Wimbledon-based press agency Sportsbeat.

Starting in September, the placements are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists and will include one day a week working on The Sun's sportsdesk.

If Lee and Karel pass all their exams, they will be offered a six-week paid internship with Sportsbeat followed by a three-month paid internship with SunSport.

The SunSport Diversity in Journalism Scholarship aims to build on the Olympic legacy by providing a life-changing opportunity to a budding journalist who has been put off trying to enter the trade because of concerns over college fees.

Lee, 20, said: ‘There is no way I could have afforded a place on this course. It is dreamland for me. I know the course is going to be hard but I’m looking forward to getting out and reporting on sporting events.’

Karel, 23, lives with his mother Nicole who came to the UK from the Republic of Congo and works as a cleaning supervisor in the City, he played semi-professional football for Grays Athletic until he broke his left leg during a match last season.

He said: ‘I am very grateful for this opportunity. My mum is over the moon. She knows where we have come from as a family this is a great chance and I know not to waste it.’

A judging panel made up of journalists from The Sun and Sportsbeat selected Lee and Karel following a day of tests at Sportsbeat and a further morning of interviews and exercises at News UK.

David Dinsmore, Editor of The Sun, said: ‘This is a great chance for two brilliant youngsters. Sport is the heartbeat of The Sun and it’s vital we keep our production line of new talent moving.’

Sportsbeat editor David Parsons said:  ‘We are delighted to offer this opportunity to Karel and Lee. If they put in the work during their training there is no reason why they can't become two of the stars of tomorrow.

'The plan was to take just one candidate on the scheme but we were so impressed with Karel and Lee that we felt it right to offer them both a place.'

The course includes modules in news reporting and sports journalism, video journalism and shorthand, as well as sports PR, media law and public affairs. Four days a week will be spent at a training centre in South West London and there will be an opportunity to contribute to Sportsbeat’s network of football and rugby union reporting.

Bob Satchwell, Executive Director of the Society of Editors, said: 'What a great result for Lee and Karel! Thanks to the generosity of Sportsbeat and indeed The Sun these two young men have been given a chance to break into journalism that would have been otherwise impossible for them.

‘This scheme is an excellent venture which complements the important work of the Journalism Diversity Fund that is administered on behalf of the media by the NCTJ.'

Joanne Butcher, Chief Executive of the National Council for the Training of Journalists, said: “'I am delighted Lee and Karel have been awarded these very generous scholarships. This is a great opportunity for them and I wish both every success in what is an excellent initiative by Sportsbeat and The Sun.'