By Jon Vale
The Guardian website is hosting a live Q&A session on Friday aimed at advising those looking to carve out a career in sports journalism – with the SJA playing a key role.
The web chat, which begins at 1pm and lasts for three hours, will offer people the chance to quiz industry experts on all facets of sports journalism training, from work experience to university courses and beyond.
Keith Elliott, the SJA’s careers officer, and the chairman of PMA Media Training, head up the panel, alongside Steven Downes, the SJA secretary.
Also on the panel will be freelance sports journalist Stuart Fraser, Press Association sports editor Ashley Broadley, Associated Press sports editor Simon Haydon, the head of sports journalism at Staffordshire University Mitch Pryce and freelance journalist Rob Smyth.
To ask a question, users must post their query in the comments box on the session’s web page. Anyone can create a Guardian account and ask the panel questions, and can do so at http://careers.guardian.co.uk/sports-journalism.
It is the latest in a line of media-based Q&A sessions run by the Guardian website, which has recently run similar projects on broadcast journalism, journalism training and blogging.
It comes at a time when 14 UK universities are offering sports journalism as a degree course, with hundreds of other institutions offering media-based courses.
The Sport Journalists’ Association recently published its most exhaustive list of training resources, confirming the vast array of options out there for anyone looking to get started in this increasingly competitive profession.
UPCOMING SJA DATES
- Mon Sep 12: SJA Autumn Golf Day, Muswell Hill GC. Click here for more details and to book yourself in for the day.
- Wed Dec 7: SJA 2011 British Sports Awards – Booking now open. For more details, click here.
All details subject to alteration. Keep checking sportsjournalists.co.uk for updates