The New Zealand Olympic Committee is looking for talented young reporters to apply for the third cycle of the IOC Young Reporters Programme, a sports journalism training programme that will run during the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.
The programme is open to aspiring Young Reporters aged 18 – 24 as of September 30 2018 who are currently working in, or studying journalism.
Applications comprising a letter of application along with a portfolio and references must be sent by to Ashley Abbott, Public Affairs and Communications Director, New Zealand Olympic Committee between 1 August 2017 and 1 September 2017.
Email: ashley@olympic.org.nz
The Young Reporters initiative will bring 30 young reporters from five continents to the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires (Argentina), 6 – 18 October 2018, with the programme running from 30 September to 19 October 2018.
Young Reporters will be accredited as “E” press, have access to all the sports, work and train in the Main Press Centre with all other accredited media, and receive specialised and intensive media training from senior Olympic journalists.
Aspiring Young Reporters:
They will be joined by four young reporters from Argentina (the host nation for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games), two from Switzerland (the host nation for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne) and the two from the host nation of the 2023 Youth Olympic Games.
Continental Associations will then choose two male and two female participants from the NOC nominees to represent their continent and submit their names to the IOC for consideration.
The IOC will announce the successful list of candidates on 12 December 2017, following a one-on-one interview in English and a vetting process with all the candidates. The IOC will cover the cost of economy airfares, all meals, twin-share hotel accommodation and full tuition by seasoned Olympic journalists, who will act as mentors and coaches.
The Young Reporters will arrive in Buenos Aires on 30 September and depart 19 October 2018. Classroom training and lectures will be held from 1 to 5 October 2018, with field training (starting with reporting) as of the Opening Ceremony on 6 October.
The Young Reporters will receive intensive class and field training in written, photographic, television, radio and new media reporting on the sport, as well as dedicated forums with guest speakers representing key international media organisations and senior Olympic officials.
The programme will include a behind-the-scenes tour of the International Broadcast Centre and meetings with Olympic Channel programmers and reporters, who will also be reporting from Buenos Aires. The integration of social media, coding and the use of algorithms will form a core component of the Young Reporters’ training, giving participants all the tools required to work in today’s evolving newsrooms. Following the training programme in Buenos Aires, the top 15 Young Reporters, as selected by the Mentors, will be invited to the second stage of training, to be held at the 3rd Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland (10 – 19 January 2020).
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS - Aged between 18 and 24 years of age (as of 30 September 2018). - Students of journalism at college or working as reporters. - Full proficiency in English (written and spoken). - Portfolio and references to complement application. - Available to attend the full duration of training.
TIMELINES
1 August 2017 Application process for NZL Young Reporters opens
1 September 2017: Final day for NZL Young Reporters to submit applications
20 October: NZOC advises successful NZL NOC candidate/s
1 November 2017: Deadline for NOCs to nominate candidates (max. 2) to their Continental Association.
2-15 November 2017: Continental Associations (NZL via ONOC) to review all applications and select two male and two female participants to represent their continent, with a limit of one Young Reporter per NOC.
15 November 2017: Deadline for Continental Associations to submit candidate applications and dossiers to the IOC.
16 November – 10 December 2017: IOC carries out the interview process with all applicants. The final decision on the suitability of nominated candidates remains with the IOC
12 December 2017: IOC announces list of participants for the 3rd IOC Young Reporters programme. - Feb–Mar 2018: IOC will liaise with Young Reporters for travel arrangements.
30 September 2018: Young Reporters arrive in Buenos Aires.
19 October 2018: Young Reporters depart Buenos Aires
