The Racing Foundations funds Racing Media Academy to encourage new media talent

20 Dec 2021

Horseracing’s major media outlets have collaborated for the first time to offer work placements to individuals interested in a career in journalism or media within the sport.

Funded by the Racing Foundation, the Racing Media Academy will give its students the opportunity to gain free training and undertake a paid work placement in one of racing’s elite media establishments.

Successful applicants will receive an intensive week of media training at The British Racing School in April 2022, before going on to gain valuable work experience in the industry.

Participating media outlets include Equine Productions, ITV Racing, JSC Communications, Racing Media Group, Racing Post, RaceTech and Sky Sports Racing. All are offering paid placements of three to eight weeks.

Placements available for aspiring media students include sports journalism (broadcast and written), social media, producing, presenting, camera work and editing.

Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply including those who are new to the sport of horseracing. The ambition is to increase diversity across racing’s media by creating a pathway for talent that is reflective of today’s society.

The idea for the Racing Media Academy was born after broadcaster and entrepreneur Josh Apiafi identified there was a barrier to getting new diverse talent into the horseracing media.

Rob Hezel, the Racing Foundation’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re pleased to fund the Racing Media Academy and fully support its ambition of making routes into the media more accessible to people of all backgrounds.

“In racing, we have a rich and varied media landscape and this is reflected in the many opportunities available to candidates of the academy.

“I’d like to thank the media houses for offering the paid placements and offering to impart their wealth of knowledge to develop the talent of the future.”

Josh Apiafi said: “I’m extremely thankful to all the organisations that have supported and worked with me and the team on this initiative. 

“Building stepping stones into our sport for anyone from any background is key to the sport’s long-term health. 

“Racing’s media has an important role to play in this if we are to be attractive to the next generation of fans. 

“Funding from the Racing Foundation was warmly welcomed and turned a well backed proposal to a tangible asset that the sport can be proud of in under a year. 

“With the recent announcement of the Racing Pathway strategy, I’m delighted that the Racing Media Academy is the first program to be launched and shows how willing and open the sport is to invest in its future.”

The Racing Media Academy is accessible to anyone over the age of 18, is free to access and includes a paid placement.

For more information, please visit https://racingmediaacademy.com/