Sky has unveiled The New Focus Fund, a new production fund designed to uncover fresh talent in sports content creation. 
 

The scheme is open to independent production companies and content creators who can bring new ideas and perspectives to storytelling across Sky Sports’ channels.
 

The fund was established partly in recognition that sports media is not easy to break into via traditional routes, and will offer creators the chance to submit content ideas that they think Sky Sports is currently missing. 
 

Submissions for a range of mediums are welcomed, including television, social media and podcasts, and should have sports at their heart. 

A dedicated panel of experts including Sky Sports presenter Naomi Schiff and Sky diversity advisory council member and ex-Dragon’s Den judge Piers Linney will assess the submissions against criteria designed to identify the best inclusive sports content.
 

The successful applicants will then participate in a 3-month development and skills-exchange programme, partnered with Sky Sports subject experts and senior stakeholders, to hone their ideas before being commissioned for production and premiered across relevant Sky Sports channels.
 

Stephen van Rooyen, chief executive officer, Sky UK & Ireland and Chief Commercial Officer, Sky Group, said: “Unlocking opportunities for new creative voices is critical to ensuring that we’re offering innovative content that authentically represents our audiences. We recognise the unique position Sky holds in amplifying these voices and empowering talent both in front of and behind the camera, which is why we’re launching the New Focus Fund today.”
 

Applications are open now until 11:59pm on Friday 28 July for external and internal candidates via www.skysports.com/newfocusfund. The fund is open to individual content creators and independent production companies.
 

Sky particularly encourages applications from under-represented groups including those with Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, individuals with Disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Photo via Sky.