Sky Sports at this time proclaims partnerships with ten content material creators chosen for the New Focus Fund, a brand-new venture launched by way of a range course of in July, designed to uncover contemporary expertise in sports activities content material creation. The profitable finalists are Beno Obano; Damilola Oluokun; Danielle Sellwood; Geoff Small; Michael Gunning; Mordecai Attoh; Nelson Adeosun in a artistic crew that includes Love Island star Priscilla Anyabu ; Niambi Bridge; Simone Heineck and Tomi Oladigbolu.

The New Focus Fund has been established to unlock alternatives in sports activities manufacturing for a wider expertise pool and convey new views to storytelling throughout Sky Sports’ channels.

Consisting of each particular person content material creators and unbiased manufacturing corporations, the candidates vary from high-profile figures reminiscent of athletes Beno Obano and Michael Gunning to sensible new storytellers throughout a variety of sports activities media platforms.

They will deliver concepts for inclusive sports activities content material to life throughout a variety of platforms and matters, together with a documentary following the story of the primary blind lady to swim throughout the English Channel; linear and digital TV reveals exploring the importance of tradition and trend to sport; and tasks championing the rising impression and affect of ladies’s sport.

Starting at this time, the cohort will participate in a 12-week improvement and abilities alternate programme, partnered with Sky Sports consultants and executives, to hone their concepts earlier than the content material is commissioned for manufacturing and premiered throughout related Sky Sports channels subsequent 12 months.

Stephen van Rooyen, Chief Executive Officer, Sky UK & Ireland and Chief Commercial Officer, Sky Group, mentioned: “Our New Focus Fund was created to uncover new voices, attract new audiences, and diversify talent behind the camera. This group of creators represent some of the best emerging sports storytellers, and I can’t wait to press play on what is sure to be some thrilling, inspiring and innovative sports content next year.”

Naomi Schiff, Sky Sports F1 presenter and New Focus Fund decide, commented: “In an extremely competitive applicant pool, we are thrilled with the successful candidates for our New Focus Fund. Our first cohort of storytellers not only presented compelling, distinctive, and ambitious material, but each have a unique and creative approach that truly set them apart. We can’t wait to see them progress through the programme as their ideas turn into reality on our platforms.”

The New Focus Fund has been funded by Sky as a part of its £30 million dedication to deal with structural inequality, assist range and inclusion, and use its voice to make a distinction in communities impacted by racism.

Notes to Editors

For extra data on the New Focus Fund, please go to: www.skysports.com/newfocusfund

About Sky’s £30 million dedication

In June 2020, Sky introduced a £30 million dedication to speed up motion on racial injustice and make investments extra in inclusion. Since then, we’ve been driving change throughout our enterprise, utilizing our voice to boost consciousness and champion causes inside and out of doors of Sky. We’re working with a number of companions together with Mission 44, Kick It Out, Valuable 500 and Black Equity Organisation to deal with the social injustices dealing with our trade and wider society, constructing on an extended historical past of utilizing our scale to push for change.