As the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games get closer, FISU has opened applications for the Young Reporter Programme that has become a fixture at FISU Games since 2011. Six international candidates will be chosen by FISU and the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) to participate as young reporters in Lake Placid from 12-22 January 2023. Following Krasnoyarsk, this will be the second winter edition of the FISU World University Games that will host a Young Reporters Programme.

Chosen applicants will not only get on the ground training covering the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games but will also take part in lectures delivered by experienced media and communications professionals and expert mentorship from current sports journalists. The FISU and AIPS partnership enables wonderful mentors and leaders to help deliver the curriculum to the aspiring Young Reporters.

Participation will provide young reporters experience in multiple aspects of working at a major, multisport event. Along with the aforementioned curriculum, each will work on daily reporting assignments. Their work will include print, photo, and social media reporting to ensure they receive broad experience to best position them in their developing careers, no matter their academic background. FISU’s website and social media platforms will be used to publish daily assignments and their coverages of the FISU Games.

“This unique sports journalism education programme provides young and aspiring sports journalists with a rare hands-on training experience during a major multi-sport event,” said FISU Secretary General-CEO Eric Saintrond. “Moreover, the selected participants automatically become members of a continuously growing global network of FISU Young Reporters and may receive freelance or internship assignments at future FISU events, in case of outstanding achievement.”

Interested candidates from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Europe can now apply for the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games Young Reporters Programme. Students or recent graduates in journalism, communications, and digital media studies, including those working in entry level positions, between the ages of 21 and 25 are welcomed to apply. Each of the successful six candidates will receive media accreditation to the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games, providing them access to competition venues and the Main Press Centre, and will have their travel, accommodation, and meals expenses covered.

Candidates will be selected based on their background and education, recommendations of teaching staff or managers, and their motivation letter that will outline why they would be an excellent selection for the program. Those interested should be available between 10-23 January 2023 which includes the duration of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games.

Application and selection process
20 September 2022 is the deadline for applications to the 2023 FISU-AIPS Young Reporters Programme. Submissions must be emailed to media@fisu.net. All listed documents must be included to be considered a complete application, and submissions should be sent as a single PDF. Packages missing any information, or applications that are submitted past the submission deadline will not be considered.

Applicants must provide the following documents in English (or translated to English if original documents are not in English):

• CV listing applicant’s previous experience and education
• Motivation letter (one page)
• Links to previous published work, experience, and portfolio, if available
• Two reference letters with contact details (professional references only)
• All candidates must provide a copy of their passport with a validity of at least six (6) months after the Games end (i.e., valid until at least July 2023)
• Official documentation confirming the level of English knowledge (for those from non-English speaking countries—TOEFL, IELTS or other equivalent certification)

More information on the programme can be found here. FISU, AIPS, and the Organising Committee of the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Games are all excited to receive submissions from great candidates for the Young Reporters Programme in the lead up to what will be a great event in January of 2023.

Written by Doug McLean