Our students studying both the Sports Journalism BA and MA courses have recently been involved in some exciting practical experiences that are helping to shape their futures in the sports media industry.
In the past few weeks, students have had the chance to attend a special guest speaker session and take part in a field trip to a local football club, all part of the university’s commitment to providing hands-on learning opportunities and real-world experiences.
As part of an ongoing partnership with Burgess Hill Town FC, sports journalism students attended an Isthmian League South-East fixture against Sheppey United. This valuable collaboration offered students practical experience as they gain insight into working as sports journalists while creating content for their portfolios and building professional connections.
The experience wasn’t just limited to match reports: Level 4 student Louie Jeffrey-Jones said, “I really enjoyed doing live updates and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” and Level 6 student Jordane Gregoire had the chance to put his sports photography skills to work, receiving pitch-side accreditation and learning from professional photographers covering the match. Fellow Level 6 students Lilly Perrill and Kelly Stock enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the club, gaining a deeper understanding of the operations and management of a football club as part of their Professional Practice module.
Speaking about the collaboration, Dave Bradbury, Operations Manager at Burgess Hill Town FC, said: “We were delighted to welcome the students from the University of Brighton. It was great to see them getting into the spirit of the game as we secured a 3-0 victory. We hope they found the experience valuable and look forward to welcoming them back in the future.”
The professional opportunities for students extend beyond the football pitch. In November, Sports Journalism BA alumni James Shaw returned to campus to share his expertise with current students. James, who graduated in 2012, now works in Commercial Ideation for the prestigious Williams F1 team. His guest lecture provided students with an inside look at the elite sports organisation and the role sports journalism skills play in his diverse career.
James also shared essential advice on job applications, CV writing, and interview techniques—all key components of the university’s Professional Practice modules. For Sports Journalism MA student Miguel Villafuerte, the session opened his eyes to the broad range of career opportunities available within the sports industry. “It was great to hear about other potential job options beyond traditional journalism roles,” he said. “It got us thinking about how the journalistic skills we’re learning in class can be applied to different roles within the sports world.”
According to Adam Powley, Course Leader for Sports Journalism BA, the combination of field trips and guest speaker sessions offers students vital opportunities to apply their classroom learning in real-world contexts: “These experiences are a crucial part of our teaching philosophy. They allow students to gain first-hand insights into the industry, expand their networks, and boost their career prospects.”
Are you ready to take the next step in your sports journalism career? Find out how you can become a journalist with the University of Brighton.
