Kazan reporting from the 2015 FINA World Swimming Championships – Kazan<br />

Young Reporters in Palau – Pacific Mini Games 2025

AIM:

  • To inspire a generation of young people.
  • To harness the excitement of the 2025 Pacific Mini-Games and use it as an opportunity to amplify the voices of young Palauans.
  • During 2024 young people enrolled in two weeks worth of training from The Reporters’ Academy.
  • They were tasked with the mission of mentoring other young people and producing exciting content during their Pacific Mini Games in 2025.

Video case study highlighting the impact and history of the partnership between The Reporters’ Academy & Palau’s National Olympic Committee. 

DESIRED OUTCOMES:

  • Plan and execute professional media production briefs
  • Interview competently for film and radio
  • Use film and radio equipment
  • Apply journalism skills and write confidently
  • Edit and craft media content from raw footage

HISTORY OF THE PARTNERSHIP

  • 2009 – TRA invited from England to Pacific Mini Games by Dr Robin Mitchell

  • 2012 – PNOC & The Reporters’ Academy met at the London Olympics. TRA was accredited as press attached for the Palauan Olympic team. Wrote articles and produced video content on behalf of the PNOC.

  • 2015 – a small group of 10 young people were trained by Katy Atkinson in Palau 

  • 2024 – 20 x young people, 10 mentors and 10 young PCC students were trained by Hope and Katy thanks to Olympic Solidarity funding from the IOC via PNOC.

  • 2024 – 2 x young people were invited to work with The Reporters’ Academy and Oceania Aquatics at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest.

  • 2024-2025 – TRA hosted virtual training sessions to maintain contact with the young people and keep them using their skills

  • 2025 – The Reporters’ Academy worked with young Palauans at the Pacific Mini Games to capture video content for the Games organisers, train new participants and deliver news media service for Oceania Aquatics.

IMPACT ON PARTICIPANTS

  • Gaining Confidence and Skills:
     “The Reporters’ Academy was my first introduction to media. It helped me open up, explore, and learn how to do interviews. Now, I’m producing daily highlights for all 24 countries at the Pacific Mini Games.”

    Career Opportunities Unlocked:
     “Because of this training, I’ve been offered jobs with Island Times, Tia Belau, and TMC.”

    Overcoming Personal Challenges:
     “When I got pregnant, I thought it was the end of my dream. But I still managed to pursue media. I want my child to know that nothing should stop him – just like nothing stopped me.”

    International Experience and Growth:
     “Working with The Reporters’ Academy took me to Budapest. I was nervous at first, but I learned how to connect with athletes and adapt to real work situations. This was my first real workplace – and great training.”

    Purpose and Passion:
     “My role is to share the voices of athletes. Thanks to my previous experience, I joined the Daily Highlights team with confidence and learned even more.”

    Inspiring Aspirations:
     “I want to be a sports reporter – and my dream is to be at the Olympics.”

     

CONTENT PRODUCED THROUGHOUT THE PROJECTS

Content produced throughout 2024 – 2025 training :

Pre Games 2024:

Welcome to Palau – Alii Pacific Nations from the young people of Palau. See you in 2025! https://youtu.be/gOXmLh57giA

Pacific Games Council Film – The benefits of hosting a Games and advice for athletes ahead of Palau. – Pacific Games Council – https://youtu.be/L2gFtZ2gxj8

Lots of fun social content on facebook including independence day, boat rate and an introduction to the TRA team. 

STATS RELATING TO ONLINE CONTENT:

1 week after the end of the Games:

📱 Instagram
 Over 22,000 views in just one week – a testament to the growing interest and excitement in our content.

🎥 YouTube
 The momentum continues with over 25,000 views and a massive 369,000+ impressions, reflecting strong visibility and reach.

Thank you to IOC’s Olympic Solidarity team for funding this project, via the Olympic Values fund.

Online article featuring more about the partnership – https://www.oceanianoc.org/press/the-reporters-academys-transformative-partnership-young-palauan-journalists-documenting-the-2025-pacific-mini-games-through-their-own-lenses​

President of FIVB being interviewed by Lutu

A selection of photos from throughout the Pacific Mini Games