UTSNZ and Ara Institute of Canterbury Sign Landmark MoU to Foster Sports Media Talent

University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) and Ara Institute of Canterbury’s New Zealand Broadcasting School (NZBS) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on media coverage opportunities for sports events at local, national, and international levels. The three-year partnership aims to provide students with practical experience in sports journalism, commentary and photography and is the first formal agreement between UTSNZ and a tertiary institution outside the university network.

The MoU sets forth a collaborative framework between UTSNZ and NZBS to enhance media coverage opportunities for students. This collaboration will include opportunities to participate in UTSNZ’s National Tertiary Championship Series and international events such as the International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games. The partnership will allow students to explore various career paths, offering practical, hands-on experience that applies theoretical knowledge to real-world situations. Additionally, students will benefit from valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals and community leaders, fostering personal and professional growth and self-confidence. Given events are tertiary-specific, they also provide a unique, safe and highly supportive environment for students to test and develop their skills amongst their peers.

Richard Bell, NZBS Screen Tutor and service provider of UTSNZ's live stream National Tertiary Championship Series broadcast, has witnessed firsthand the unique and valuable learning opportunities provided by UTSNZ's national events programme. Through the engagement of current Ara journalism students in the UTSNZ commentary team, aspiring media professionals have gained practical, real-world experience in sports broadcasting. This involvement has not only allowed them to hone their communication and technical skills but also provided them with a platform to explore potential career paths in sports media, bridging the gap between academic theory and professional practice.

RR2025 Young Sports Media Talents Pilot

In 2025, this collaboration will reach new heights with UTSNZ and NZBS participating in a pilot project for the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games (RR2025). The RR2025 Young Sports Media Talents programme, a pioneering initiative looking to expand upon FISU’s previous Young Reporter’s Programme, will offer NZBS students the chance to engage in an international media environment, with one lucky student to receive a guaranteed spot within the Young Sports Media Team on-site in Germany to cover the Games.

“This is a fantastically exciting initiative between UTSNZ, Ara and RR2025 which opens up true international experiences for New Zealand students. In preparation, continuing to engage students in all areas of UTSNZ live productions and event coverage nationally, not only brings energy and sensibility that is vital to connecting with our audience, but will better prepare students for international opportunities that may come their way” says Bell.

The RR2025 Young Sports Media Talents programme will commence in October 2024, when industry experts from across the globe will deliver a series of open-access guest lectures on sports media topics to students and recent graduates of media-focused academic programmes. Students aged 18 to 25 can then apply for roles as reporters, photographers, or commentators at the 2025 World University Games, with selected participants receiving professional training and mentorship and invaluable media experience. This programme will be open to all New Zealand students.

The NZBS, as the premier national provider of applied education in broadcast journalism, television, film, digital media, and radio performance and production, stands to positively benefit from the RR2025 pilot project. The initiative allows New Zealand guest lecturers to contribute to the online programme, showcasing their expertise to a global network of media students and provides an excellent platform for the school to promote its top-tier education and connect with media students worldwide.

The RR2025 Young Sports Media Talents programme aligns with UTSNZ's own Workforce Development Programme by providing students with opportunities to represent their institutions off the court/field, while facilitating vocational skill development, as well as enhancing student engagement and experience by offering participation pathways that contribute to their professional growth.

Overall, the MoU marks a significant step in paving the way for future collaborations and opportunities between UTSNZ and specific academic departments within vocational tertiary education sector, through integrated sport and educational initiatives.