Women in Sport: Analysis & Punditry Training Opportunity

Do you love sport? Do you have a flair analysing and dissecting matches and events? Are you interested in a career in the media?

If the answer is ‘YES’ then Sport Ireland has an exciting opportunity for you.

Following on from the successful launch in 2021, through its Women in Sport Programme, Sport Ireland is seeking candidates to partake in another round of the initiative that will provide expert training on pre, during, and post sport event analysis and punditry for broadcast (TV, live-streaming, radio).

The programme, run in conjunction with training, development, and communications experts "The Communications Clinic", will take place over three/four days, and will provide the successful candidates with the understanding and the practical skills to work in a live studio environment. This will include preparation & research for broadcasts, on-air delivery, establishing area(s) of specialisation and establishing relationships with key stakeholders – broadcasters, players, officials and governing bodies.

As part of the training programme, the successful candidates will also partake in a mentorship programme, which will see them learn from the very best in the business.

Speaking after the training, one 2021 candidate stated,

“Prior to the programme, I had not received any formal training on tips and techniques that would assist me in my role as an analysis. The work that we did as part of the programme was absolutely amazing. So practical. I felt so much more confident going on camera even after just one session. I would highly recommend this course for anyone that is considering or even currently working within the media.”

Download the application form at the bottom of the page

The Programme

The programme will contain:

• Punditry and Media Skills Boot Camp
• Speaker & Mentor Day
• Studio Experience
• On-Going Mentorship Programme

By the end of the training programme participants will;

• Have the confidence and capability to be expert and excellent contributors and pundits to sporting media of all types
• Have direct experience in preparing and delivering for sports preview and review shows
• Have direct experience in preparing and delivering for live analysis; including pre, during and post-match analysis for live national broadcasters
• Know their own communication style and be able to deliver to the best of their ability - enthusiastically and directly
• Know how to structure and deliver a concise but engaging point
• Know how to profile audiences
• Be able to research to find interesting and fresh angles on consistent issues
• Be an interesting, understandable and engaging contributor
• Know how to use data, stats and evidence in a useful but relatable manner
• Have a set PR plan and have an expert consultant to implement it
• Be able to write understandable and engaging articles, columns and opinion pieces
• Have experience of delivering in both TV and radio studio set ups
• Understand the role and the demands of a Producer, Presenter, Contributor and Pundit
• Have made connections with, and learned from, experienced figures in the field of Irish sports broadcasting

The Candidate

First and foremost, we are seeking candidates that know their chosen sport inside-out.

The ideal candidate is someone that has a natural eye for spotting trends and patterns in sport, and has the ability to focus on the finer details. If you’re unsure of whether or not you have this natural eye, don’t be put off. We are looking for someone that is passionate about sport and isn’t shy of putting her opinions and points across. It’s important to note that no previous experience of media or broadcast work is required to apply – this will not be factored in when choosing the successful candidates.

While playing experience is not an absolute requirement, having a first-hand experience of competing at a high level (national or international) is an advantage.

To be considered for this initiative, chosen candidates will be split into two groups and must be available on the dates outlined below depending on which group they can join.

Group 1

Day 1 - June 18th

Day 2 - June 25th

Day 3 - July 2nd

Group 2

Day 1 - July 9th

Day 2 - July 16th

Day 3 - July 25th

The Application Process

Interested individuals can submit an application using the form below.

As part of the application process, you are asked to submit a brief personal statement (max 600 words) that gives a summary of why you are interested in partaking in this programme, and how your experience makes you a suitable candidate for the programme.

Candidates are also asked to submit a short video or audio clip to support their application. This clip should provide a sample of the candidate analysing a passage of play from a match or event.

Only those applications that include an application form and video/audio clip will be considered.

Application forms including the brief personal statement and the audio/video file can be emailed to womeninsportproject@sportireland.ie

Links to WeTransfer or Google/other sharing platforms may be used if necessary.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Friday, May 27th  2022.  No late applications will be considered.

Applications will be assessed by a panel that includes representatives from the broadcast media sector, the training provider and Sport Ireland.

If you require further information, please contact womeninsportproject@sportireland.ie

About Sport Ireland’s Role:

Sport Ireland is the authority tasked with the development of sport in Ireland. This includes participation in sport, high performance sport, anti-doping, coaching and the development of the Sport Ireland Campus.

In 2019, Sport Ireland published its first Women in Sport Policy, which expresses the organisation’s commitment to women in sport. It builds on the significant work that has already been undertaken in this area within the sport sector to date and, in recognising the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of women through their involvement in sport, it provides a blueprint for Sport Ireland’s future work.

Sport Ireland is committed to increasing women’s sustained involvement in sport as coaches, volunteers, club members, athletes, advocates, leaders, and participants from grassroots to the podium. To realise this, Sport Ireland has outlined a number of key objectives, including, inter alia, increasing the visibility and profile of our female role models in sport and using the heroes of today to inspire the next generation.

One of the actions being taken to realise these objectives is the establishment of a training programmes for potential female analysts/pundits, to ensure that broadcasters have a pool of female candidates available.