Supporter To Reporter (S2R) Flag

  • Award Entered:
    Best New Project
  • Parent Organisation:
    DigitalMe
  • Project Host Nation:
    UK
  • Overview of Project:
    S2R gives young people training and access to become real-life sports reporters. They get behind the scenes at major local and national events, are treated like pro journalists and work to briefs and deadlines. Their work is available for the world to see - published on their personal Reporter Page at www.radiowaves.co.uk/s2r. Their audio, video, text and images can be viewed by anyone and safely receive comments and feedback – a fantastic boost to their self-esteem and a great way to learn. Training takes place in sports-linked study centres and is all about learning by doing. Trainees quickly get hands-on with the equipment and are practising their first interviews within an hour. They learn classic media techniques - questioning, interviewing, analysing and editing – and new media skills vital to succeed in the knowledge economy – digital editing, podcasting creation, blogging and web video. S2R has become UK-wide in just a year and a half. Over 100 reporters have now covered 35 events and produced an amazing 1700 pieces on 15 different sports. Highlights include Manchester United in the Champions League, The Premiership rugby finals Twickenham, the World Swimming Championships and the cycling Tour of Britain.

Comments

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: 20 May 2009 - 21:39 BST

I have been a supportor of S2R since its trial nearly 2 years ago in Manchester. My son initially was nominated by his school to partake in the trial which has not only changed him into a more confident person but also his outlook into what career path he followed post GCSE's. The opportunities that all the young adults have been given throughout all the different categories of sports to report on is amazing and gives a fantastic insight and training in the arena of sports media. As a mother I am very proud to see this project evolve from a small group of 8-10 teenagers in Manchester to a nationwide scheme is a tribube to all those involved, Glyn, Katy, Damien etc. Keep up the good work and in my eyes deserve recognition of all their work and effort in this scheme. Good luck everyone.

: 06 May 2009 - 14:43 BST

A great project to work on. It is a pleasure to see the young reporters grow in confidence and put into practice skills that they can take with them into their professional lives. An amazing project that can only grow from strength to strength.

: 25 Apr 2009 - 10:45 BST

This is a great project that Made in Manchester got involved with as part of the World Swimming Championships and we have since had one of the young people come work with us in a professional setting. I have no doubt the course really develops people ready for the real world. It's brilliant.

: 24 Apr 2009 - 15:20 BST

This is a project which should receive wider recognition: the enthusiasm and talent of the team was very impressive. Anything which gives young people the chance to gain realistic experience in working environment can only improve their chances of forging a successful career in the future.

: 24 Apr 2009 - 15:20 BST

We saw these young kids in action at an event at Canada House earlier this year and were really impressed with them. They showed themselves to be professional and interested in what was going on around them. We wish them well with this nomination.

: 24 Apr 2009 - 14:33 BST

This project raises the aspirations and confidence of the young people who take part, so that they can move on in their lives toward successful careers. It gives them an excellent understanding of teamwork, meeting deadlines, overcoming obstacles and achieving quality results, whatever the task.

: 24 Apr 2009 - 11:03 BST

I love this project! The young people involved always impress with their enthusiasm for what they're doing and above all their professionalism. It's great to see them reporting on some less well known sports with as much commitment as they report from some of the big venues and events. Building the confidence of young people is so important and meeting those involved in S2R really brings home how successful it is in doing this. It really is a project that is making a difference.

: 23 Apr 2009 - 12:27 BST

Through MUTV I encountered supporter to reporter on a few occasion last season in particular I remember meeting with many of the budding young reporters during a Manchester United Champions League match where the students did themselves proud acting with the utmost professionalism. Those working on that project were enthusiastic & obviously talented and it was a pleasure to work with you all. I just hope the support continues.

: 23 Apr 2009 - 10:01 BST

We are delighted to offer our support and encouragement to the Supporter to Reporter project. We were most impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of Glyn and his team and the obvious benefits this gave to the young people involved in being young reporters. We hope that R2S continues to receive the support it obviously deserves from both Government and private sources, so that more and more kids can achieve their potential.

: 22 Apr 2009 - 20:42 BST

thank you for your comments and we are all very greatful for your wishes and nomination shadowman3000 S2R year 1 phase 3

: 22 Apr 2009 - 20:25 BST

S2R is an innovative and unique project. The facilitators and coordinator enthuse, motivate and support the young people effectively so that the participants are actively engaged and sufficiently challenged. Listening to these young people describe their individual learning journeys is inspiring. There's an opportunity for the participants to develop appropriate technical and transferable skills and this in turn allows them to grow, gain confidence whilst stepping out of their comfort zone. More importantly, they are introduced to a real working environment where time management is key. I only wish such a project existed when I was younger. Long may S2R continue!

: 22 Apr 2009 - 18:57 BST

To respond to your comment, Around 80% of the S2R project are involved in a variety of sports including Football, Cricket, Basketball, Diving and Kickboxing. Some of are Reporters are also hoping to be competing in the London Olympics such as Natasha who is a Regional champion in kickboxing, Also some of our reporters have got links from there own sports such as Dan who does diving in his spare time and has a strong link to the young diving sensation Tom Daley who he has inteviewed on a number of ocasions,even coaching Tom about a job in the media. To mix our Journalism and Sport together we are also starting to report on our own S2R competators to let the world see how young people can get involved in sport and how our young athletes are getting on. S2R has taught us all alot of skills for media such as Audio, Video and Blogging. S2R has also taught us Confordence, Motovation and Determination. Lewis S2R Manchester

: 22 Apr 2009 - 18:40 BST

I encountered supporter to reporter in 2008 at the Tour of Britain cycle race where I was the press officer. From negotiating their access to the race through to their presence on site the team impressed from start to finish, even securing a feature for themselves on the TV coverage of our event! The young reporters they brought to the event impressed with their maturity, ability to think on their feet and their willingness to lend a hand to us as organisers every day on the race. This is a project that could, (and should) have a place in every region of the country over the next few years

: 22 Apr 2009 - 14:36 BST

Good to see so many people voicing their support for this project. community radio seems like a great outlet to get young people involved. Do any of the young people actually participate in sporting events, or if they only report on them? What sort of skills are they taught?

: 22 Apr 2009 - 14:30 BST

This is a great project which we within Playing for Success have worked with great success. It gives young people a new perspective of their chosen sport. It is exciting new media. More cooperation please.

: 22 Apr 2009 - 14:25 BST

I think this has been a most welcome and innovative way of helping the development of the young people of Trafford. The leadership of the project has been supportive and inspiring and the team have created an atmosphere where those involved have felt able to express themselves more fully than perhaps previously. Across a variety of sporting fields the Supporter to Reporter project has enabled the participants to broaden their horizons in terms of their awareness of many sports that they might not otherwise have become involved with and has also given them an insight into the deication and effort that is required to succeed in these fields. This is a fantastic project , well run and full deserving of any accolades and recognition that it recieves. Long may it continue!

: 22 Apr 2009 - 12:50 BST

An innovative and imaginative project which really has enhanced educational provision for young people in Trafford and across the region. The S2R initiative has encouraged engagement and raised self-esteeem and aspirations of all the students who have taken part. The opportunity that S2R offers is quite remarkable and for some of our students has been positively life-changing - above all it has educated youngsters that no successful activity comes without hard work and a team effort. The marvellous thing is that everyone is learning and engaging in education without necessarily realising it. Quite simply marvellous!

: 22 Apr 2009 - 10:57 BST

An excellent project for our students which has inspired them to set up a school internet radio. Our reporters have gained so much confidence and developed into interesting young people with high aspirations. this has been one of the best projects and one that students clamour to join.

: 22 Apr 2009 - 10:39 BST

A fantastic project that engages young people, raises their confidence levels and aspirations and helps to develop their skills. A pleasure to see in action and to work on.

: 22 Apr 2009 - 10:06 BST

A pleasure to work with. Full of enthusiasm and inspiration. Keep up the good work S2R. Leon Taylor Olympic Medallist and Broadcaster

: 22 Apr 2009 - 08:07 BST

This is one of the best sport related projects for raising achievement and aspiration among young people that I have come across. The team are amazing and the young reporters full of enthusiasm and confidence.

: 21 Apr 2009 - 23:45 BST

this group is full of talent, energy and drive. it is a great project and deserves this recognition. Well done from all at bbc radio 5 live.

: 21 Apr 2009 - 20:10 BST

Having seen some of the young reporters in action at the Women's European Hockey Finals, it was clear that they not only love what they do, the experience boosts their confidence and they get the chance to meet high profile sports personalities.

: 21 Apr 2009 - 18:47 BST

It was great working with the team during the weekend of Sports Personality of the Year. They were hugely enthusiastic, creative and knowledgable.

: 26 Mar 2009 - 17:03 GMT

These guys are amazing, really dedicated and passionate about what they do...

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Key Dates

  • January 18, 2010 Beyond Sport Awards 2010, Open for Entries.
  • April 16, 2010 Beyond Sport Awards 2010, Close for Entries.
  • June 1, 2010 Beyond Sport Awards 2010, Shortlisted Projects Revealed.
  • September 29-30, 2010 Beyond Sport Summit 2010, Awards' Winners Unveiled.

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