A sports journalist is someone who reports on sporting events, writes articles, and provides commentary and analysis for newspapers, magazines, online publications, television, or radio. The job involves researching sports topics, interviewing athletes and coaches, attending matches, and keeping up to date with the latest news in the sports world. Sports journalists need excellent writing skills, a passion for sport, and the ability to work under tight deadlines, often during evenings or weekends. They may specialise in a particular sport or cover a range of events, and digital skills are increasingly important for online reporting or social media coverage.
Entry-level sports journalists in the UK typically earn between £18,000 and £25,000 per year, while experienced professionals can earn £35,000 to £45,000 or more, especially at national publications or broadcasters.
There are an estimated 70,000 journalists in the UK, with sports journalism making up a significant but competitive portion of those roles.
Sports journalism jobs are highly sought after, with a limited number of new positions each year. Many journalists start as freelancers or on short-term contracts.
Reports specifically on football matches, players, and news for newspapers, magazines, or online platforms.
Creates in-depth articles and analysis about cricket matches, teams, and players for sports publications.
Delivers live sports news, match updates, and interviews on television or radio programmes.
Focus on improving your writing ability, especially for news and feature articles.
Take English and Media Studies at GCSE and A-level if possible. Practise writing different types of articles about sports topics, such as match reports, opinion pieces, and interviews. Consider starting a blog or contributing to your school newspaper or sports club newsletter to build your confidence and receive feedback.
Stay informed about a range of sports and develop your analytical skills.
Follow a variety of sports through TV, online, newspapers, and magazines. Learn how matches are structured, key terminology, and current issues in sport. Understanding rules, tactics, and athletes' backgrounds will help you produce informed and interesting content.
Consider studying for a degree in journalism, media, or a related subject.
Many sports journalists have a degree in journalism, sports journalism, media studies, or English. Some universities offer specialist sports journalism courses. These courses often include work placements, which are valuable for gaining practical experience and contacts within the industry.
Acquire skills with digital media, photography, audio, and video editing.
Modern sports journalists use a range of media. Learn how to use social media, record interviews, edit podcasts, and create short videos. Many newsrooms look for journalists who can work across platforms, so multimedia experience will set you apart from other candidates.
Contribute to local newspapers, online sports sites, or community radio stations.
Approach local papers, sports websites, or fan blogs and offer to cover matches, write features, or interview local athletes. Volunteer at events or for your school's or university's sports teams. This will help you build a portfolio of published work, which is essential when applying for jobs.
Make connections with professionals in the sports media industry.
Attend sports events, journalism workshops, and media industry events. Join organisations like the Sports Journalists' Association. Reach out to professionals for advice and feedback on your work. Building a network can help you find job opportunities and gain valuable insight into the industry.
Look for trainee, junior reporter, or internship roles with sports media outlets.
Search for jobs with newspapers, magazines, websites, and broadcasters. Entry-level roles may be competitive, so highlight your writing, multimedia skills, and passion for sport in your CV and cover letter. Be prepared to start in general reporting and work your way into sports coverage.
Stay up to date with trends and keep improving your skills.
The media industry evolves quickly, especially with digital platforms. Attend training courses, follow industry news, and keep practising your craft. Consider specialising in a particular sport or media format as your career progresses.
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.
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Find and tell stories and inform the public.
A Sports Journalist primarily produces written content and reports on sporting events, which aligns closely with the role of a Newspaper or magazine journalist. Both professions focus on journalism, storytelling, and delivering sports-related news to the public.
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).
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