Graduation Pride for PFA Sports Journalists

Picture courtesy of the PFA

Thursday December 4th is not necessarily a date which registers for most people unless they have a birthday or anniversary on this particular day. But for the PFA it is a landmark date heralding as it does the first official graduation of three dedicated students from the BA Honours Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting Degree course specially brokered by the PFA and delivered by Staffordshire University.

Thursday December 4th is not necessarily a date which registers for most people unless they have a birthday or anniversary on this particular day. But for the PFA it is a landmark date heralding as it does the first official graduation of three dedicated students from the BA Honours Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting Degree course specially brokered by the PFA and delivered by Staffordshire University.

All undergraduate study can be demanding but the achievement of the PFA cohort is particularly impressive as they undertook one of the first ‘fast track’ degree programmes offered by the University in this subject. This form of study allows candidates to complete a full degree programme within two years by combining part time and distance learning study with a demanding programme of practical work placement within relevant areas of the media.

For these elite performers, combining study with the pressures and stresses of high level competitive sport was no easy feat, yet their achievements rank with any undergraduates in the country, including full time candidates. Of the eleven PFA students who completed the course, three achieved a First, including James Beaumont (pictured below) with five others achieving Upper Second classifications, testimony to the hard work and dedication required to set and maintain these standards.

Whilst the majority of the group will attend a graduation ceremony in July, three were honoured together with fast track graduates from other faculties in a special ceremony held at the Stoke on Trent campus. Whilst family and friends looked on proudly, ex Hull City FC and MK Dons star Matthew Baker and former Nottingham Forest player James Beaumont were joined at the ceremony by Glamorgan Cricket Club’s Mark Wallace. Mark gained a place on the programme thanks to the PFA’s relationship with the Professional Cricketer’s Association and having expressed an interest in the course was invited and accepted a place alongside his PFA counterparts.

Well done to all three of our ‘fast track’ pioneers who have paved the way for others to emulate their achievements and will hopefully encourage current players to enrol on this exciting vocational programme. Article, Oshor Williams, Education Officer, PFA

Published 24/12/2009 | Ref: ALAN IRWIN

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