IMMAF Launches Young MMA Journalists Competition

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is pleased to announce its first annual Young MMA Journalists Competition.

Two winners will be awarded the opportunity to report on the 2021 IMMAF World Championships in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan in November /December 2021 (TBA), under the training and mentorship of a senior journalist with decades of experience in covering elite, international sport. Travel, accommodation and routine daily costs will be covered by the IMMAF.

The winners’ written and audio-visual work about the action and news around the championships will be published on official IMMAF platforms. The journalists will receive training, remotely in advance of the event as well as onsite, also with guidance from IMMAF’s communications team.

The purpose of the competition is to help develop MMA journalists of the future. The project hopes to attract young people from around the world and reflect diversity in both gender and background.

Award-winning Olympic journalist, former Associated Press editor and mentor for the IOC Young Reporters’ Programme, Steve Wilson, commented on behalf of IMMAF’s Marketing and Communications Commission:

"The IMMAF Young Reporters programme reflects the global, youth-oriented focus of the IMMAF and its commitment to developing the MMA journalists of the future. The programme represents the chance of a lifetime for two young journalists to receive professional training and report on the sport’s biggest event. It’s a win-win for everyone involved."

HOW WILL THE REPORTERS BE CHOSEN?

This opportunity is open to any young person worldwide who is not a professional journalist and is 26 or under.

To enter, provide the following to Isobel.carnwath@immaf.org by the following date:

1) CV - A one-page curriculum vitae or resume detailing your education and any work experience in reporting sport and/or in operating cameras and editing material for audio-visual material.

2) SUMMARY – A 250-word summary in English saying why you want to be part of the project and what you hope to do in your future career.

3) EXAMPLE OF WORK - A 400-word written story in English OR a selection of edited audio-visual interviews or reports (maximum duration 3 minutes; MP4 format) which you have carried out in reporting MMA or any other sport or live news events.

4) PUBLISHED WORK - Links or pdfs of any published works, if applicable

5) SOCIAL MEDIA - Links to any key posts on your social channels that you feel would support your submission / illustrate your portfolio / style

The audio-visual interviews can be conducted in another language. The subject matter does not have to be MMA, but the material must have been filmed and edited by the candidate.

The event must be something you have covered in person. It cannot be an event watched on TV, but it could also be any type of interview you have carried out. Any level of MMA or sport can be covered – from school or youth to professional level.

The standard of English for the written work does not need to be perfect but must reflect your ability without significant help from anybody else.

DEADLINE

The competition opens today, 13 January 2021 and closes at midnight GMT on 31 March 2021.

Submissions will be judged by a panel of experienced journalists and media professionals from around the world. Successful candidates will be informed of the results by the end of June 2021.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Entrants will be judged based on the quality of the submissions, their enthusiasm and long-term promise and potential.

OFFICIAL RULES (TERMS & CONDITIONS)

See Official Rules (Terms & Conditions)

ENQUIRIES

For enquiries contact Isobel.carnwath@immaf.org

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