Disability Journalism Programme set for Aviva Premiership Final

As part of Premiership Rugby’s ongoing commitment to inclusion a selection of budding journalists from the programme, which is funded by Premiership Rugby and Comic Relief, will attend Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, May 26 for a day they will savour.

Their experience will include recording the action that happens on the pitch as well as reporting back on Premiership Rugby’s other community programmes that also form part of the Final experience.

This includes initiatives such as Project Rugby, a joint venture between Premiership Rugby and England Rugby, where members of the public will be invited to join clubs and volunteers on the artificial pitch in the Fan Village as part of the programme’s aim to increase participation in the game by people from traditionally underrepresented groups.

“We’re absolutely delighted to join Premiership Rugby at the 2018 Final at Twickenham,” said programme manager, Kris Tavender.

“Our Disability Journalism Programme continues to make huge strides in the community and this season, we have been lucky enough to experience Bristol Rugby match days from behind the scenes, with full access to the players and coaches pre and post-match.

“The club also hosted our budding journalists at the training ground during a midweek press conference – so to add to our already incredible experiences with a trip to Twickenham, is incredible. We’re hugely excited for the day, and our pupils will be preparing for it over the next couple of months.”

Paul Morgan, Communications Director at Premiership Rugby, added: “We can’t wait to welcome the Group from Bristol Rugby to the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on 26 May at Twickenham Stadium.

“It’s fantastic to see one of our clubs running a Disability Journalism Programme and we are delighted to support it by inviting the students to the Final to work as journalists on the day.

“We will plan a day that we hope will live long in their memory and help encourage them to become journalists when they leave full-time education.

"The experience they have had with Bristol Rugby will be invaluable to ensure they can ask some tough questions at the post-match press conference and produce some great articles for our website.

“I expect the standard of their work will ensure some of the media at the Final will be looking over their shoulders as the next generation comes looking for their jobs!”

Funded by Comic Relief, the Disability Journalism Programme provides students with the opportunity to develop game analysis, report writing and personal skills in an interesting and unique way including participation in an access-all-areas match day experience at Ashton Gate.

Sessions are prepared and delivered by experienced and qualified specialist teachers, providing appropriate differentiation and support at an individual level, to help increase confidence, resilience and equip the young people for success in life.

To find out more about the Community Foundation's Disability Journalism Programme, click here.