WHY BE A SPORTS JOURNALIST?

• Sports journalism is a form of writing that reports on matters pertaining to sporting topics and competitions. Sports journalism started in the early 1800s when it was targeted to the social elite and transitioned into an integral part of the news business with newspapers having dedicated sports sections. The increased popularity of sports amongst the middle and lower class led to more coverage of sports content in publications. The appetite for sports resulted in sports-only media such as Sports Illustrated and ESPN. There are many different forms of sports journalism, ranging from play-by-play and game recaps to analysis and investigative journalism on important developments in the sport. Technology and the internet age have massively changed the sports journalism space as it is struggling with the same problems that the broader category of print journalism is struggling with, mainly not being able to cover costs due to falling subscriptions. New forms of internet blogging and tweeting in the current millennium have pushed the boundaries of sports journalism.

• This industry creates literally billions and billions of pounds each year. Whether it’s the player’s salaries, the sporting venues, or the various sporting associations that assist at ‘grassroots’ level, the revenue that comes from this subsector drives virtually everything else in the sport.

• Production companies, publishers and statistics agencies rule the roost here and the unquenchable thirst of sports fans ensures that this sector is only set to grow even bigger over the coming years.

• Whether you’re a runner, a production hand, a cameraman, an editor, a director or a producer, you’ll be working in a highly-pressurised environment, often dealing with live events for the unforgiving viewer. You can read more on the sports production side of things by checking out the Television and Corporate Production subsectors.

• The sports broadcasting industry is also very tech-heavy. Whether it’s Hawkeye in cricket and tennis, the continual flirting with goal line technology in football, or the amazing 3D graphics in Golf, they all require I.T. experts to deliver the goods. There’s more information on the right skills to get into this sector and what roles are available in our I.T. & Telecommunications sector, so be sure to check it out.

• If you feel you’ve got what it takes to be ‘on-screen talent’ though, there is intense competition for roles in the hot seat or operating the on-pitch microphone. Although often dominated by retired sportsmen and women, sports presenters and commentators take much the same path as TV presenters and actors: going to castings, smiling for the camera, and honing that ability to deliver a killer line at the perfect moment.

• Although there is the glitz and glamour that comes with the television camera, microphone, and editing suite, there is still plenty of room for the written word. Sports journalism, whether online or in print, is ravenously consumed by millions of sports fans around the world.

• Whether it’s the local Sunday league match, a League Two ‘six-pointer’ or the World Cup Final, publications of differing sizes and readerships are required to report on the events that unfold.

• Sports journalism acts in much the same way as any other form of journalism. There are freelancers, copywriters, proofreaders, editors, and reporters that hunt for the best stories and publish the most interesting takes on the latest events. We’ve covered the online and print world in more detail over in our Journalism: Online and Journalism: Print subsectors, so if you feel that’s your calling, jog over there now!

• Whether you want to get involved in the technical side of things, or you fancy yourself the next Jake Humphrey or Martin Samuel (or other people whose names are both first names!), there are plenty of careers available in the world of sports broadcasting, journalism and media

Your Future

There has been a major shift within sports in the last decade as more sports teams are switching to using analytics. A large reason for this shift is due to many articles being published about the increased benefit of using analytics to make strategic decisions in a game. As there is data collected about every instance in every sport, sports data analysis has increased. Sports publications are now hiring people with an extensive background in statistics and mathematics in order to publish articles detailing the analysis these teams are conducting. New metrics have been created to study the quality of player performance. The metrics have also been used to compile rankings of players and teams. Blog sites like FiveThirtyEight began to sprout as full-time sport analytic sites that took available data and constructed analytic heavy articles pertaining to sports. ESPN has implemented a segment in their shows called ‘Sports Science’ where stars of every sport come in to test how advanced analytics affect field performance. There has been much pushback by many over the use of analytics in sports. Many established coaches are quick to bash analytics as narrow and ignorant of the big picture.

What does this course lead to?

Recent BA (Hons) Sports Journalism graduates gained full-time employment at Daily Mail Online, The Guardian, Sky Sports, BBC Local Radio, M&Y Media, Inside the Games, Southend United FC, plus a variety of freelance journalist roles. Some students have moved into public relations, with one in an account manager role that earns £50,000 straight out of university.

Who is this course for?

This course is well-suited to those with a sport or journalism background who wish to move into sports broadcasting across traditional and digital platforms. The course content is ideal for students wishing to gain a deep understanding of the technical and practical aspects of broadcasting. Suitable roles for graduates include sports journalists or editors at TV stations, radio stations, productions companies or live TV units; newspaper or magazine content production; online presenter/producer; freelance broadcasting; public relations; digital and social media communications; crisis management. The course team themselves are current industry professionals engaged in regular broadcast practice with television and radio channels such as Sky Sports, Sky Sports News, BT Sport, ITV, BBC, BBC Radio Solent.

The course also builds on Solent’s current relationships with professional and amateur sports clubs in the South, including Hampshire County Cricket Club, for whom the University is an official provider of video content, and Southampton Football Club. Previous students on our sports journalism courses have benefitted from guest lectures and workshops by industry speakers.

The MA course is new but the BA (Hons) Sports Journalism course is taught by lecturers who are all still working in the industry (Sky Sports, ITV, BT Sport, BBC Radio Solent) which means that getting high-profile guests in to talk is very easy. The guest lecturers have come down to do Q&As, mock interviews, critique work and offer career advice. Recent broadcast guests include: Sarah Gomme and Fred Dinenage (ITV Meridian); Tom Hepworth (BBC South Today); Nigel Dean (Sky Sports); Chris Eldergill (CNN World Sport); Jeff Freeman (IMG); Paul Belverstone (Premier League Productions)

Assignments in several modules to suit the needs of their employers, including:

• Dissertation/Final Project

• Sports Broadcast Production

• Sports Documentary-making

• Professional Practice

Half of the Professional Practice module involves an extended work placement within the broadcast industry. The course has links with the industry and will provide an extended work placement (up to 12 weeks) with a broadcaster. That's Solent is the first partner, but there are also conversations happening with BT Sport, Eurosport, and Perform. The placement will take place in Period 2 of the course but will include one day of university work each week to attend Sports Broadcast Production. There will be one assessment in Period 1 which will be on the lecture-based teaching and then a Period 2 assessment will be a reflection on their 15-week work placement. Students are able to gain vital hands-on experience in relevant environments such as local or national television and radio stations.

Core Modules

• Sports Broadcast Production

The module begins with teaching how to produce TV and Radio content, plus law and ethics, broadcast specialisms (commentary, voice training, Social Content). Weekly industry-style News Days then form the rest of the module as you refine and perfect your TV and Radio skills through nine-hour days with live output and real deadlines, including reacting to breaking news.

• History and Context of Sports Broadcasting

This is an academic module looking at the history of Sports Broadcasting and the global issues surrounding the sport, for example, commercialisation, racism, corruption/match-fixing, mega-events, sports politics, gender, disability, migration, and how it has become a multi-billion pound business which dictates policy.

• Sports Documentary-making

This module provides an opportunity to move away from live sports output and investigates longer-form features and documentaries for TV or radio. You will be taught new production techniques, plus the processes involved in pitching and getting a documentary commissioned.

• Professional Practice and Media Law (with a 12-week Professional Placement)

This module looks at your career goals and identifies skill-sets and development needs. As part of this module, you will undertake a three-month work placement in the broadcasting industry which will give you real-world experience and enhance your CV to help you gain employment after completing the course.

• Final Major Project

You will use the knowledge learned from your theory and practical modules to produce an extended radio or television feature that demonstrates your professional attainment as your major final project.

English Language Requirements

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:

• IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in reading, listening and speaking

• TOEFL IBT 92 with minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 19 in reading, listening and speaking

• Duolingo English Language Test - 110 overall with minimum 90 in each component

• or equivalent.

Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.