University of Gloucestershire student completes prestigious Olympic media programme

University of Gloucestershire student Holly Norman has completed a 12-week media programme with the Olympic Channel Services (OCS) and the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS).

The third-year Sports Journalism student was one of 16 people selected out of hundreds of applicants to become a 2025 Olympic Media Innovator on the Olympic Media Innovators Programme (OMIP).

Created specifically for women aged 18-21, the programme featured 10 online sessions each presented by a different head of department. During the seminars, the experts spoke about their role within the organisation and gave the Olympic Media Innovators advice on finding a way into the competitive industry.

At the end of August, Holly was selected alongside 9 others to take part in an immersion week in Madrid at OCS and OBS headquarters. Taking place from 23-28 September, Holly took part in various workshops with industry professionals and spent time working closely with the Originals department (responsible for producing documentaries for the Olympic channel), as well as leading producers, including Netflix.

The programme culminated in Holly delivering a presentation to the CEO’s, mentors and heads of department about her time during the programme, discussing her key takeaways and how the programme had shaped her.

Holly said: “This programme has genuinely changed my life in ways I really didn’t expect it to. I returned from Madrid feeling not only more confident in my future in this industry, but also in myself as a person.”

Alongside her degree, Holly has been undertaking a media internship with Cheltenham Town Football Club through which she is responsible for matchday videography and social media.

Holly commented: “The BA Sports Journalism course has pushed me to grow creatively and professionally, with the lectures offering real-world insights and expertise into the industry. The lecturers have equipped me with a range of skills and the confidence needed for my internship at CTFC, to get the most from the Olympic Media Innovators Programme and to secure a job in the future.”

Brendan McLoughlin, Academic Course Leader for Sports Journalism, commented: “We join Holly in celebrating this fantastic achievement. The Olympic Media Innovators Programme is an excellent vehicle for applicants to develop their knowledge of and connections in the industry.

“We are celebrating our highest ever intake of women in the current first-year cohort which demonstrates the pertinence of programmes like OMIP in supporting young women to enhance their skills in sports journalism.”