Following the achievements of the Journalist Bursary Programme, Chelsea Foundation
and the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS) have extended the programme for
its third year.
This opportunity offers two aspiring journalists funding for the NCTJ course with News Associates in
Twickenham, as well as a contribution towards living expenses.
Building on the success of the second year’s recipients, Sirayah-Shiraz Koraltan and Joseph Sam, the
programme aims to provide a pathway for emerging voices in sports journalism. Since qualifying, Sirayah
and Joseph are both in presenting roles while continuing their collaboration with Chelsea FC and Chelsea
Foundation.
Sirayah said: ‘This programme has enabled me to pursue my dreams of making integral change towards
diversifying sports media, alongside my club. Take the leap, trust in yourself and your abilities and apply.
We need more trailblazers leading the way in media!’
Joseph commented: ‘The programme is a great opportunity to get out your comfort zone and propel
yourself forward. At a time where I wanted to try a new experience and perfect my knowledge and skills,
this programme came through at the perfect time for me and I haven’t looked back since.’
The first year’s cohort, Um-E-Aymen Babar and Brian Matovu, have since secured full-time positions
with BBC Sport and Arsenal FC respectively.
As the programme enters its third year, Chelsea Foundation and BCOMS are eager to discover and
support the next generation of talent and make a positive impact on sports media.
Leon Mann MBE, founder of BCOMS, said: ‘Our partnership with the Chelsea Foundation has been a real
success in assisting talent with great potential to push on in the sports industry and make an impact. The
four previous recipients of the bursary have done exceptionally well. We are proud of them all.
It’s incredibly exciting to think about the impact the next talented people who come through the
application process could make. BCOMS believes in the power of collaboration and this partnership is a
special one that is genuinely helping to diversify the sports industry.
Thank you Chelsea for your commitment to making our industry even better and more inclusive.’
Simon Taylor, Head of Chelsea Foundation, said: ‘I’m incredibly proud of our continued partnership with
BCOMS in our shared mission to diversify sports media. A central aim of our No To Hate campaign is
changing the culture of the game on and off the pitch and I’m excited to see the positive impact our next
cohort of aspiring journalists will have on the sports media landscape.’
Applicants are invited to showcase their passion by submitting a written, audio, or video presentation.
The presentation should articulate what the bursary would mean for them and the importance of
promoting diversity within the sports media.
The deadline for the applications is 12pm on Friday 15th December 2023.
Candidates will be shortlisted by Friday 22nd December.
Interviews will take place in early January 2024.
For any further information please contact info@bcoms.co
About Chelsea FC, Chelsea Foundation and BCOMS
Chelsea FC, Chelsea Foundation and BCOMS have been in partnership for over three years. At every
home fixture since September 2020, Chelsea FC have provided two BCOMS Masterclass students with a
space in the press box at Stamford Bridge. This partnership was extended through the Chelsea
Foundation and No To Hate campaign, when in October 2021, we launched the Journalist Bursary
Programme.
