October 23 – The blending of technology, media, and football never stops, and neither does the growth of women’s football. Google Pixel and The Powerhouse Project have teamed up with Arsenal, Liverpool and the FA to create and launch the Pixel FC Academy.
This unique initiative is aimed at helping young women break into the male-dominated world of football media and content creation.
The five-month programme has been designed to give female creators the hands-on experience they need to grow and survive in the modern-day world of sports media. The workshops include lessons for media production, broadcast punditry, written press, and of course the everchanging, fast-paced, and viral world of social media.
To make any football programme mimic the real world of football in the classroom has always been a struggle however the partnership between the football and tech giant has a wrinkle that is a first of its kind.
Graduates of the Pixel FC Academy can put themselves in the frame to find paid opportunities, internships, and freelance work with the clubs and partners and in Liverpool’s case on both the women’s and men’s teams.
No teaching opportunity succeeds without instructors who have first-hand knowledge, and this is an area where Pixel FC Academy will shine.
The initiative will bring movers, shakers, and influential voices to the lectures. Representatives from ITV (the UK’s free-to-air commercial station), 90MIN, and other outlets will provide the training and experience needed to navigate the ever changing, and at times aggressive world of media.
Powerhouse Project founders Rosie and Mollie Kmita said in joint statement: “The thing we really love about Pixel FC Academy is that we’re providing behind the scenes access to industry leading individuals who are in these jobs every day, from journalists, producers, presenters and pundits to social media content creators. It’s a one stop shop that will equip you for your future career.”
Every academy member will be assigned a mentor from the sports industry.
The mentor will provide support and give a helping hand in next steps in the industry. As with all new technology, artificial intelligence (AI) will provide a helping hand as participants will be taught on how to utilize AI tools alongside the Pixel platform.
Eileen Mannion, vice president of marketing at Google UK, said: “Google Pixel’s ambition is to help shape a more inclusive future for the sport and empower more women to enter the industry. Following the success of Pixel FC’s content creators at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Pixel FC Academy will now create tangible opportunities for the next generation of talent, helping to make football, and roles in football media, more accessible.”
The window to apply for these coveted spots in the Pixel FC Academy is short though with applications closing on November 18.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1729671499labto1729671499ofdlr1729671499owedi1729671499sni@o1729671499fni1729671499