A sports journalist is responsible for researching, writing, and presenting news and features about sporting events, athletes, and issues within the world of sport. This could involve attending live matches, interviewing sportspeople, analysing games, and producing articles or video content for newspapers, magazines, online media, radio, or television. The role often requires working unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends, to cover events as they happen. Strong writing skills, a passion for sport, the ability to work under tight deadlines, and excellent communication abilities are essential in this career. With the rise of digital media, sports journalists are increasingly expected to produce multimedia content and engage audiences through social media platforms.
Sports journalists in the UK typically earn between £20,000 and £40,000 per year, with experienced professionals at national outlets earning up to £60,000 or more.
There are around 70,000 journalists in the UK, with a significant number specialising in sports across print, digital, radio, and television platforms.
Demand for digital sports journalists is increasing, with online sports media seeing a 15 percent growth in roles over the past five years.
Covers football matches and news, providing match reports, interviews, and analysis for newspapers, magazines, or online platforms.
Specialises in in-depth articles and human-interest stories about athletes, teams, and sporting events.
Delivers live coverage, commentary, and updates on sporting events for television or radio stations.
Develop strong writing skills through English classes, writing clubs, or your own practice.
Take part in school or college writing activities, such as a newspaper or magazine, and seek feedback from teachers. Read widely to understand different writing styles and learn how to communicate clearly and engagingly.
Stay updated with various sports, learn the rules, and analyse games and players.
Watch matches, read sports articles, and follow reputable sports journalists. Consider keeping a notebook or a blog where you summarise games and reflect on tactics, players, and major sporting stories.
Join your school or university newspaper, magazine, or radio station to write sports articles or report on matches.
Many schools and universities have student media outlets where you can cover local sports events and develop your portfolio. This is a great way to practise reporting, interviewing, and meeting deadlines.
Create a blog or social media account dedicated to sports commentary or match reports.
Consistently post match reports, opinions, or interviews to build your confidence and online presence. Share your content with friends, family, and local sports clubs to gain feedback and increase your visibility.
Apply for a university degree or an NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) diploma in journalism.
A journalism degree or NCTJ diploma provides essential knowledge of media law, ethics, and reporting techniques. Some courses offer a sports journalism specialism, which can be beneficial. Strong A-levels in English and related subjects are often required.
Apply for work experience placements at local newspapers, sports magazines, broadcasters, or online sports outlets.
Work experience helps you develop practical skills and make contacts in the industry. Attend sports events, conferences, or journalism workshops to meet professionals. Building a network can help you find job opportunities and learn from others in the field.
Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of available apprenticeships. To view a more complete collection, visit the Find an apprenticeship service.
Click on any card to be redirected to their vacancy page.
LOCALLY WE DO... LTD
( Added 03 Sep 2025 - 1 position available )
Join Locally We Do... Ltd as a Content Creator Apprentice and master the art of impactful storytelling across digital platforms. Learn to craft videos, images, and articles that connect with audiences, while gaining hands-on experience in modern marketing and creative production.
Closing date: in 9 days
Possible start date: 01 Nov 2025
BIG HEAD CONTENT LIMITED
( Added 08 Sep 2025 - 1 position available )
This role is integral to the production process, requiring a proactive individual who can handle various administrative and logistical tasks. The ideal candidate will have a passion for the industry, a strong work ethic, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Closing date: in 1 month
Possible start date: 01 Dec 2025
FORESIGHT (NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE)
( Added 08 Sep 2025 - 1 position available )
Are you organised, detail-oriented, and passionate about making a difference behind the scenes? As a Data Processor, you’ll play a key role in keeping things running smoothly, from managing vital records to coordinating services that support the community every day.
Closing date: in 21 days
Possible start date: 22 Nov 2025
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.
These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
Find and tell stories and inform the public.
A Sports Journalist and a Newspaper or magazine journalist both primarily focus on reporting and writing about sports events, athletes, and related topics. The core skills of researching, interviewing, and presenting information in a compelling manner are common to both roles.
You can get into this job through:
You can take a degree course as a first step towards this career. Relevant subjects include:
Some courses are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
Graduates of other subjects can do a postgraduate course in journalism, lasting 1 to 2 years.
You'll usually need:
You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get a trainee journalist position or to study at a higher level. Courses include:
Some colleges offer the Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Journalism and courses in shorthand, accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship with a media organisation, such as:
These usually take between 1 and 2 years to complete.
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
You could start as an office assistant or trainee reporter on a local or regional newspaper, or junior feature writer for a magazine.
You'll need a minimum of five GCSE grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, or equivalent qualifications. Many recruits have A levels or a degree.
There is strong competition for jobs, and you'll need to show you've got writing experience. You'll find it useful to keep examples of your published work, especially if these include your name as the author.
To build up your writing experience you can:
You can study for a number of professional qualifications in journalism at different levels, accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). These can be done online, part-time or through fast-track training.
The NCTJ also offer online and short courses like:
You may be able to get help with funding for certain NCTJ courses through the Journalism Diversity Fund.
It'll be useful for producing online content if you can:
As a journalism student you can apply for student membership of the National Union of Journalists.
You can find out more about working in journalism from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK
Phone
01603 273515
Email
[email protected]
Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.
Unlock expert-designed lessons, resources, and assessments tailored for educators. No credit card required.
Claim Your Free Trial →
