MULTIMEDIA Journalism and Media & Communication students from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) have teamed up with the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) Trust to tell the stories behind the beautiful game.
Twenty students have signed up to work with the SPFL Trust to produce news packages and editorial to showcase the ongoing community projects delivered by the clubs in partnership with the Trust and to uncover club news.
The Trust works with Scotland’s 42 professional football clubs to facilitate the delivery of community projects, including its flagship programme Football Fans in Training (FFIT) which is aimed at improving health and wellbeing.
Through its many initiatives and partnerships, the Trust/clubs use the power of sport to engage with communities to transform lives and, it is hoped, that by working with GCU students the needs of local communities and the stories behind the scenes will have further reach and impact.
GCU lecturer in Broadcast and Online Journalism, Claire Dean, said: “Football clubs are the hub of many communities in Scotland and there are many untold stories and community projects which are supported and carried out in local clubs.
“The opportunity to partner with the SPFL Trust gives GCU students unrivalled access to SPFL clubs and the opportunity to carry out work experience, while they hone their journalism and media skills across multiple platforms.”
Led by Claire Dean and sports commentator and GCU PhD student, John Cullen, and in partnership with the SPFL Trust, students will produce content for the SPFL Trust website, newsletters and social media sites, as well as gathering their own stories from Scottish clubs.
Third-year Multimedia Journalism student, Ronnie Charters, from Glasgow, said: “I’m looking forward to reporting on the initiatives and projects which go beyond the score line on a Saturday.
“Football brings people together and it is these stories which I hope to uncover.”
SPFL Trust operations manager, Derek Allison, said: “We are delighted to partner with Glasgow Caledonian University students to give them invaluable experience and insights into life off the pitch.
“SPFL Trust, along with the SPFL clubs, delivers bespoke projects to communities across Scotland and, working with our media department, we hope to continue to use the power of sport to engage with communities across Scotland and share this good news.”
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Roisin-Alana Di Giacomo
Tel: 0141 331 8672/07527 401 952
Email: R.A.DiGiacomo@gcu.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
- Glasgow Caledonian University is an international university delivering excellence to around 20,000 students, with an over-arching commitment to the common good. It has a Glasgow campus and outreach campuses in London and New York, and partnerships in Bangladesh and Oman, offering a dynamic environment for learning, teaching and applied research.
- GCU is ranked in the top 20 in the UK for health research at world-leading and internationally excellent standards. Almost two-thirds of GCU’s social work and social policy research is rated world-leading and internationally excellent.
- GCU’s commitment to the Common Good is realised in applied research which addresses three major societal challenges, enabling communities in the UK and internationally to build Inclusive Societies and live Healthy Livesin Sustainable Environments.
- 95 per cent of GCU graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation. (DLHE 2014).
- GCU is a signatory to the United Nations PRME initiative (Principles for Responsible Management Education) and is the first Scottish university to join the UN Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary corporate responsible management initiative.
- For more information visit: gcu.ac.uk
SPFL Trust notes:
- The Scottish Professional Football League Trust is an independent, registered charity that works in partnership with all 42 SPFL clubs to develop community activities across Scotland.
- Through the power of football we aim to make a difference, empowering our clubs to create opportunities at the heart of our communities that bring people together and change lives for the better.
- We have an independent board of trustees and operate under the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. The SPFL Trust and its Clubs cover 84 per cent of Scotland’s population. We are in a unique position which allows us to make national change at a local level in your community.
- For more information visit: spfltrust.org.uk
- Our FFIT programme is supported by the Scottish Government fitting in with their Health and Wellbeing Agenda.
Picture caption:L/R Alison Walker (board of SPFL Trust), GCU student, Ronnie Charters, and Claire Dean, GCU lecturer in Broadcast and Online Journalism.
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