How to break into the world of sports journalism

Sports journalism has become one of the most competitive industries in the UK. Sport is huge in this country, particularly football, with the Premier League one of the most watches leagues in global sports. With millions of fans tuning in each week, a growing number are desperate to forge a career in the sport they love. Who wouldn’t want to be paid to watch matches for a living? Therefore, it’s no wonder that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to break into the world of football journalism.

Qualifications

The most important question is what qualifications do you need to become a sports journalist? Generally speaking, you’d need a degree in a related field such as journalism. Many degrees will include modules specifically related to sports journalism, too.

Journalism is a very difficult degree to master, so many students will use assignment help services throughout their time at university. Gaining a degree is never easy, especially in today’s world where many students have to hold down a job while studying just to pay their way through university, so people should take all the help they can get along the way.

Experience

Once you have your qualification in journalism, it’s time to gain relevant experience in a related field. Many will choose to take up an apprenticeship at a local newspaper, or national newspaper if they’re lucky. As an apprentice, you’ll be asked to complete a wide range of tasks but it’s vital experience that will help you in the future.

While serving as an apprentice, it was tempting to get someone to write my assignment UK but it’s important you do the work yourself as it will set you up for your time as a proper journalist. Sports journalists work long hours away from home, travelling to games and working on the go, so you need to learn to do the hard graft early.

Skills you’ll need to become a top sports journalist include good knowledge of the sport you cover. Obviously if you become a football journalist, you’ll need an in-depth knowledge of the football industry, particularly the league or club you are assigned to. You’ll also need excellent research skills, communication skills and writing skills. Also, in today’s day and age, sports journalists need to be able to engage with fans via social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Benefits of sports journalism

The main benefit of being a sports journalist is the chance to forge a career in the sport you love. Thousands of football fans would do anything to get paid to attend games and write about the players they idolise. You’ll get the chance to meet and interview managers and players from the sporting world, and no day will ever be the same. One minute you’re off to the Emirates to watch Arsenal take on Tottenham, then next you’re flying to Spain to cover Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

However, while being a sports journalist sounds like a dream job for many, it’s not without it’s draw-backs. The starting salary for a football journalist can be as low as £13,000 a year. The average salary is only £24,000 a year – which is below the national average. You’ll also work long hours away from home, and may have to work during holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

So while there are lots of benefits to being a sports journalist, it’s definitely something you should think long and hard about before jumping in feet first.