The Broadcast Academy and EVS launch unique mentorship programme for women in the sports broadcasting industry

The scheme is the latest of many initiatives aiming to improve the potential of women and accelerate their career

‘Project Access’, the HBS and Broadcast Academy initiative to improve the potential of women in broadcasting, has been extended to include mentoring programmes for women in the industry. The announcement was made by Luc Antoine Charial, Chief Operating Officer, HBS, at a Broadcast Academy event at EVS offices in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, attended by representatives from sports federations and broadcasters. 

The scheme will build on the recent success of the BA, in partnership with EVS to encourage women to take more senior positions within the sports industry. This has seen courses being run by the BA across the world to train individuals for their further growth – particularly in sports TV direction, where women have traditionally been under-represented. Partly as a result, women have now directed major sporting events in multiple countries for the first time, having graduated from BA courses.

The BA have recruited some of the industry’s leading names to be available to assist nominated women as they look to both gain relevant feedback on their current work and take advice on their future career path. These include the French Football Federation (FFF)’s Julie-Anne Gross, Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF)’s CIO Cécile Gonfroid and top international sports directors such as John Watts, Laurent Lachand and Sebastien Von Freyberg.

Now the BA is looking for more organisations and individuals to sign up to support the initiative. “We have made an excellent start as we begin our mentoring programme, but we need more individuals and companies to come forward and help make a difference to the industry. Our aim is to have each organisation open the door for talented women to succeed and thrive in their roles,” said Luc Antoine. 

Existing partners of Project Access include some of sports broadcasting’s biggest companies – IMG, EFL, Concacaf and the French Tennis Federation (FFT). They have provided hands-on experience to help support the work of the trainers and give opportunities to new and existing talent. The project is also supported by the National Film and Television School (NFTS) in the UK, the Sports Video Group (SVG) Europe and International Broadcasting Convention (IBC). 

Now the BA hopes to provide ongoing support to women through mentoring as well as their purpose designed training courses. “We want to pair up talented individuals with mentors who can help them succeed in their daily job as well as grow their own potential,” explained Luc Antoine.

For more information about Project Access and the mentorship programme please visit: https://www.broadcastacademy.net/mentorship-programme/