The International University Sports Federation has opened applications for the sixth edition of the Young Reporters Programme, that will be delivered at the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games from 18-29 August next year.
From among the applicants, twenty (20) international candidates will be selected by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), while another twenty (20) candidates from the host nation, People’s Republic of China, will be selected by the Organising Committee of Chengdu 2021.
The inaugural edition of one of FISU’s marquee educational programmes was held in 2011 at the 26thSummer Universiade in Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, in partnership with the AIPS. Successful editions have been held since, at the summer World University Games (formerly Summer Universiade) in Kazan, Russia in 2013, Gwangju, South Korea in 2015 and Taipei City, Taipei in 2017. The fifth edition was the first one held at a winter edition of the FISU World University Games – at Krasnoyarsk 2019 in Russia.
“This unique sports journalism education programme provides young and aspiring sports journalists with a rare hands-on training experience during a major multi-sport event,” said FISU Secretary General-CEO Eric Saintrond. “Moreover, the selected participants automatically become members of a continuously growing global network of FISU Young Reporters and may receive freelance or internship assignments at future FISU events, in case of outstanding achievement.”
AIPS will partner FISU once again in delivering this intensive training programme at the World University Games next summer. The curriculum of the programme includes lectures from world-class media and communication professionals, mentorship from established sports journalists and field-based training with the FISU Media & Communication team.
“AIPS is glad to renew the partnership with FISU to organise the Young Reporters Programme in Chengdu 2021. The first project, which we worked on together in 2011 in Shenzhen, remains a source of inspiration to carry on this cultural initiative,” said AIPS President Gianni Merlo. “A major multi-sport event as the FISU World University Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring sports journalists and the best place to acquire really valuable knowledge as well as practical training. This partnership is a very important step to the future.”
The applications for the 2021 FISU-AIPS Young Reporters Programme are now officially open. Applicants must be 19 to 25-year-old students, recent graduates in journalism/ communications/ public relations or young practicing journalists from the continents of Africa, Americas, Asia, Oceania and Europe. The selected candidates will be brought right into the middle of the Games, with full access to the competition venues and the Main Press Centre. The cost of travel, accommodation and meals will be borne by FISU and the Organising Committee.
During the programme, training will be offered in print, photo and social media reporting of live events. The Young Reporters will be required to participate in all training sessions and will be given daily multiple reporting assignments. Photographers will be required to produce written content, just as print media journalists will be required to delve in photography or produce audio-visual stories, in order to develop their all-round journalistic skills.
The programme will be conducted in English. The 16-day programme will begin with an introduction to FISU and the World University Games, as well as to the host city and nation. Their first assignment will be coverage of the opening ceremony. Through all competition days, the Young Reporters will be expected to file multi-media news and feature stories, many of which will be published on FISU’s official platforms and channels.
Candidates will be judged on their academic records, recommendations of teaching staff or managers and should, above all, show real potential to succeed in their chosen media career.
Requirements for participants
From among the twenty (20) international candidates selected by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), six (6) FISU candidates for participation in the YRP must be full-time or part-time students of journalism, public relations or communication, aged 19-25, having completed at least one (1) year of university studies. Recent graduates working in entry-level positions in news and media organisations are also strongly encouraged to apply for participation. These six (6) candidates will be selected directly through the application process while four (4) more photojournalists will have the option of applying through a photo contest on the official website of Chengdu 2021: https://www.2021chengdu.com/en/. This contest will be announced at a later date.
On the part of AIPS, candidates are to apply through the AIPS-affiliated National Sport Journalists Associations. Ten (10) successful candidates will be selected by an AIPS expert panel.
Candidates for the YRP should be available for the duration of the programme for 16 days from 15-30 August 2021, which includes the entire schedule of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games.
Application and selection process
Applications for the 2021 FISU-AIPS Young Reporters Programme will close on 31 January 2021, at 23:59 Central European Time. For FISU candidates, the applications must be sent to the following email address: media@fisu.net. Applications must be sent as a single PDF, where all listed documents must be included to be considered a complete application. Applications missing any information, or applications that are submitted past the submission deadline will not be considered. For AIPS candidates, the applications must be sent to the following email address:presidentoffice@aipsmedia.com. After a thorough review of applications, notification to successful candidates for the Chengdu 2021 WUG edition of the YRP will occur no later than 18 February 2021.
Application Documentation for FISU candidates
International applicants must provide the following documents in English (or translated to English if original documents are not in English):
- Detailed CV listing applicant’s previous positions, education and experience
- A short essay up to five hundred (500) words outlining the candidate’s motivation for applying for the programme
- Link(s) to previous, published work and/or portfolio
- Two reference letters (educational or professional references only)
- Copy of passport with a validity of at least six (6) months after the Games end (i.e. valid until at least February 2022)
- Official documentation confirming the level of English knowledge (for those from non-English speaking countries—TOEFL, IELTS or other equivalent certification)
For any queries regarding the 2021 FISU-AIPS Young Reporters Programme, please get in touch with media@fisu.net.
