Racing Foundation-funded Racing Media Academy Class of 2022 announced

2 Apr 2022

The 10 students who will make up the first cohort of the Racing Foundation-funded Racing Media Academy (RMA) have been announced following a competitive selection process.

The students will start their training at The British Racing School in April 2022 before going on to gain paid work experience at one of racing’s elite media houses.

Equine Productions, ITV Racing, JSC Communications, Racecourse Media Group, Racing Post, RaceTech and Sky Sports Racing have all collaborated with the Academy for the first time to offer journalism and media opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.

The Academy had just short of 200 applications for the 10 sought-after places with applicants representing a cross section of society in terms of age, nationality, religion, sexuality and disability.

Ali Amersy is a 20-year-old boxing promoter from Manchester and has been selected for a placement with the Racing Post.

“I’m most looking forward to learning how social media marketing techniques are implemented to increase the amount of readership in sports fans,” said Ali, who learned more about racing as part of the BHA’s Step on Track Programme.

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. He subsequently approached the media outlets mentioned above for a partnership collaboration and the Racing Foundation for funding.

Josh Apiafi said: “I am supremely proud to see the Class of ‘22 of the inaugural Racing Media Academy.

“Ensuring there is a route to increase greater diversity within our media channels is crucial as we work towards racing’s workforce and fan base becoming more representative of today’s diverse society.

“From an initial idea 15 months ago, it has been incredible to see what can be achieved when industry collaboration comes to the fore.

“I’d like to firstly thank the Racing Foundation for their funding of the first Racing Media Academy, Lee Moulson, for his untiring work ethic to bring this to life, as well as our seven media partners.

“Together, they have changed 10 people’s lives for the better by opening up new opportunities.”

Racing Media Academy Class of 2022

ALI AKBER AMERSY, Manchester

Racing Post

ALEXIA CHESTER, Nantwich

JSC Communications

CHARLES DAY, Wolverhampton

RaceTech Placement

HANNAH HENN, Northampton

Sky Sports Racing

KWESIA, London

ITV Racing

SOPHIE MANNERS, London

RTV Placement

LEWIS KNOWLES, Wirral

Sky Sports Racing

ASHLEY SCOTT, Northampton

Equine Productions

ALBERT SYMONDS, East Sussex

Equine Productions

MICHAEL TEENEY, Newcastle

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