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WORLD-CLASS EXPERIENCE AT A MULTI-SPORT EVENT

 

The Young Reporters Programme exemplifies FISU's commitment to more than sports competitions. At every FISU World University Games, a group of talented aspiring sports journalists are chosen to cover the 12 days of competition.

 

The International University Sports Federation launched this journalism education programme to provide young sports journalists with a unique training experience during FISU’s major multi-sport events, the summer and winter World University Games. While this is an education programme, it is organised and conducted by the FISU Media department, under the Media and Communication Committee, and in partnership with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

 

After the inaugural edition of the FISU Young Reporters Programme in 2011 at the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China, and the successful editions during the Summer Universiades in Kazan 2013, Gwangju 2015, Taipei 2017 and Napoli 2019, FISU's Young Reporters Programme was also presnt at the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade and Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games WInter.  

 

The Young Reporters Programme takes journalism students (aged 20 to 25) or recent graduates in the fields of journalism and communications or digital media from the continents of Africa, the Americas, Asia, Oceania and Europe, right into the heart of the multi-sport event for its entire duration, with full access to the competition venues and the Main Press Centre. Over this fortnight, participants are immersed in a multi-cultural learning experience that challenges them in many different ways and are joined by journalism peers from the host nation.

 

In addition to covering sporting events at the FISU Games, participants will also take part in lectures delivered by experienced media and communications professionals and expert mentorship from current sports journalists.  All Young Reporters receive both general and specialised training in various aspects of reporting and the coverage of major events such as the FISU World University Games. The course programme looks at what makes a good human interest story, how to produce news stories under tight deadlines, when to look for background detail and why accuracy and fairness still remain the cornerstones of reporting. The FISU and AIPS partnership enables wonderful mentors and leaders to help deliver the curriculum to the aspiring Young Reporters.

 

Since it began at the Summer Universiade 2011, the Young Reporters Programme has been a smashing success. The young journalists bring a fresh perspective to the storytelling. The students have full credential access to the Athlete Village and competition venues, just like any other professional journalist. With this access, the Young Reporters in the past, have shown an uncanny ability to take audiences behind the scenes, discovering diamond-in-the-rough storylines.

 

Applications for the FISU-AIPS Young Reporters Programme at the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games are now being accepted. 

 

Chengdu cool

Postponed twice (2021 and 2022) The Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games are now confirmed for 28 July-8 August 2023 and will invite young journalists from around the world to participate in the Young Reporters Programme in China.

 

Candidates will be selected based on their background and education, recommendations of teaching staff or managers, and their motivation letter that will outline why they would be an excellent selection for the programme. Those interested should be available between 25 July and 9 August 2023 which includes the duration of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Games.

 

30 April 2023 is the deadline for applications to the 2023 FISU-AIPS Young Reporters Programme for the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games.

 

Applicants must provide the following documents in English (or translated to English if original documents are not in English):

  • CV listing applicant’s previous experience and education
  • Motivation letter (one page)
  • Links to previous published work (for non-native English speakers, previous work in English is a plus), experience, and portfolio.
  • Two reference letters with contact details (professional references only)
  • All candidates must provide a copy of their passport with a validity of at least six (6) months after the Games end (i.e., valid until at least February 2024)
  • Official documentation confirming the level of English knowledge (for those from non-English speaking countries—TOEFL, IELTS or other equivalent certification)

 

Submissions must be emailed to Media@fisu.net 

 

All listed documents above must be included to be considered a complete application, and submissions should be sent as a single PDF. Packages missing any information, or applications that are submitted past the submission deadline will not be considered.

 

For any further information, please contact Media@fisu.net

A Young Reporter Rising to the Challenge

During the Summer Universiade 2015 a student reporter from the Czech Republic, Lucie Hrdlickova, met with the day's silver medalist in the 100-meter hurdles, Michelle Jenneke of Australia.

 

Instead of just focusing the video interview on the Australian’s podium-winning performance, the young reporter chatted with Jenneke about her attention-grabbing warm-up routine. The energy between the interviewer and athlete was infectious. The video then went viral – on YouTube alone, it racked up over half a million views. Among those watching and loving what they saw, was the national Czech television channel, who went onto hire Hrdlickova as a reporter after the Universiade.

 

 

For Student Reporters, School is Still in Session

While the afternoon and evenings at the Universiade are spent chasing down story leads and editing articles, the young reporters are not outside the school scene entirely. To accelerate the learning of best practices, student reporters attend morning lectures on media-related topics taught by sports reporting veterans.

 

Where are the young reporters now? 

After five editions of the programme (Shenzhen 2011, Kazan 2013, Gwangju 2015, Taipei 2017, Krasnoyarsk 2019), the value of the Young Reporters Programme is validated by the trajectory of many of these then-aspiring media careers. Alumni now lead key functions in the media and communication industry, such as producer at FOX TV Australia, communication director at a National Olympic Committee, reporter at the Toronto Star and a press officer at a national university sports federation, to name a few.

 

Lucie testimonial YRP Fabio testimonial YRP