Fresh out of graduating from UCFB’s BA (Hons) Sports Business and Sports Broadcasting programme, Anthony Saunders landed an in-demand role at Sky Sports as a Graphics Operator. Here, he shares the highlights of the role and how the experience he gained during his degree, across all levels of sport, proved vital…
Tell us about your role as Graphics Operator at Sky Sports and what you get up to on a daily basis?
I have been a Graphics Operator for about three months now; the job involves working across the range of sport that is shown on Sky, I am based mainly within football and golf. Before a sporting event is broadcast live, it is our job to create the graphics that the producers may want to use in the show - this could be statistics, name tags, leader-boards and just about anything they could throw at you really. When the show is live, we are working in the galleries playing out the graphics to air.
What have been some of the highlights so far?
I am only recently finishing my training so a lot is still to come but I was in the gallery for the live Premier League opening weekend and the Scottish Open Golf which are events I have seen on Sky for most of my life - so that was very exciting!
What have you brought into the role from your BA (Hons) Sports Business & Sports Broadcasting degree?
I think the biggest thing would be how I was encouraged by my lecturers to go out and get experience being in a broadcast environment whilst studying my degree, that allowed me to feel comfortable when stepping into a broadcaster like Sky so soon after graduating.
During your degree, you worked with the likes of Deltatre and Arsenal under-23’s in similar roles. How important do you think this was in securing your current role?
The experience gained external to my degree was vital, in such a competitive industry you have to show that you have gone out there and gathered as much experience as you can to make your applications stand out. They also helped me to see the industry first-hand in a variety of roles, so it allowed me to really hone in on what I was interested in.
Aside from your academic studies and placements, what were some of your favourite memories from your time at UCFB?
Living in Wembley next to the stadium with your mates, during that incredible England Euros run, where it was pure excitement for weeks! Shame how it ended but that’s a memory I’ll have for a lifetime.
How did you find being a student in London?
It was quite an adjustment at first, London is quite a fast pace of life but I wouldn’t want to have studied anywhere else. There’s a bit of something for everyone and the ability to hop on the tube and be in so many cool places within half an hour is something you can’t get anywhere else in the world. I still live here and won’t be leaving anytime soon!
What advice do you have for anyone looking to study at UCFB?
Take all the opportunities on offer and don’t try to only get experience at big names, the work at the lower levels of sport are equally as valuable to employers, just show them your passionate! More importantly, enjoy it! Three years goes very fast!
