News

Three women will be given mentoring and publication opportunities to help level up the gender imbalance in the football writing profession, thanks to a #GetOnside pledge from the long-running and much-loved magazine When Saturday Comes.

The trio will receive access to six online sessions giving an inside perspective on all aspects of work done by the magazine's editorial team, as well as tailored mentoring packages designed to support their specific career plans.

The magazine will also ensure that the mentees get a paid professional credit to add to their portfolios – again, according to their own professional goals. These could include a published article, sub-editing, podcast production or another career-related pursuit.

"Hopefully it will be a valuable insight into how an independent print magazine operates in the modern age," says Ffion Thomas, WSC's Assistant Editor.

Supporting new talent through the pledge is consistent, adds Ffion, with the magazine's long-standing mission to foreground marginalised voices. "During the 35 years WSC has been around we have all taken pride in amplifying the voices in football that often get ignored. 

“We have also worked with a lot of brilliant female journalists and fans who have gone on to do great things in the industry – including Women in Football’s first ever CEO Jane Purdon, early on in her career. But we all know we need to work harder to ensure we are at the forefront of bringing through new talent and providing our readers with the diverse stories they expect from us.”

The pledge has particular resonance for Ffion given her own background as a football writer. "I’d have loved an opportunity like this back when I was wondering how to turn writing for blogs and fanzines into a job," she says, "so I’m excited that we’ve been able to do it.

"I’m keen to add more female writers to the magazine’s bank of regular contributors, so even if this scheme isn’t suitable for someone but they have an idea for an article that might suit us I’d really encourage them to get in touch."

And the best thing about the pledge? "Meeting some fellow enthusiastic female football writers, hearing their ideas and ambitions and hopefully giving them some useful advice and insight as they embark on their careers in sports journalism."

As well as helping aspiring journalists kick-start their careers, Ffion looks forward to the development opportunities it will provide for her and the WSC team. "It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this so our small team will be learning too, and if all goes well we hope it’s a scheme we’ll be able to repeat."

To find out more about the mentoring opportunity and how to apply, click here. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday, December 16. If you have any questions about the scheme or the application process please email jobs@wsc.co.uk

Share this article