Bt Sport Celebrates Educational Initiative

This season, BT Sport has given students the opportunity to film and create Vanarama National League highlights for the network’s The National League Highlights Show.

BT Sport has been providing students from each Vanarama National League club with professional filming equipment, editing software and professional support. BT Sport’s producers and technical support staff also offer advice and guidance on filming and production throughout the season.

On Thursday BT Sport welcomed more than 40 students to its Stratford Olympic Park studio, for an event celebrating the broadcaster’s educational partnership initiative with the Vanarama National League.

The event, which was hosted on Thursday by BT Sport’s Vanarama National League presenter, Mark Clemmit, gave students an opportunity to see how a broadcast studio functions during a busy night of UEFA Europa League programming.

The students had a Q&A with some of BT Sport’s pundits, including two time UEFA Champions League winner, Steve McManaman and former England and Liverpool goalkeeper, David James. The students were also provided with insight into the requirements and responsibilities of being on screen, by BT Sport presenter Matt Smith.

The scheme is the first of its kind and provides the students involved with a great foundation on which to build a career in film, production and media.

The students met with head of BT Sport, Simon Green, and Tony Kleanthous, chairman of National League Broadcasting.

Tony Kleanthous, chairman, National League broadcasting, said: “We could not have asked for a better partner in BT Sport, they have embraced the National League with so much enthusiasm and it is refreshing to see people taking a real interest in the league. Not only do they show the regular highlights but they provided training for the kids and even the equipment they need to do such a great job. The kids are fantastic and it’s nice to work with such a passionate team of people. They can be proud of what they are doing for themselves and the league.”

Head of BT Sport, Simon Green, said: “Today is a culmination of all of the hard work that we have put in to this initiative and demonstrated the enthusiasm, eagerness and willingness that the students have shown to this concept. It has been a vindication to the results and how far these students have come since we started and we are so proud of what we have been able to achieve.”