SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Continuing its youth development and training schemes, Racing UK’s Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has announced Shelley Birkett and Jason Kiely as recipients of its new Media JETS Traineeship.
Joining the development program, the RMG’s young apprentices will learn all aspects of modern media dynamics including presenting, punditry, digital production, marketing and PR.
Birkett, who is 23 and based in Malton North Yorkshire, has ridden 77 winners on the Flat. She said: “I am delighted to have been selected for the RMG – JETS traineeship. I am looking forward to gaining new skills on the course.
“The training will hopefully stand me in good stead for a career in the media in the future and I feel very fortunate to be given this opportunity.”
Kiely, who is Irish-born but based with Tim Vaughan in Cowbridge, Glamorgan, is a former conditional jockey with five winners to his name. The 26-year-old said: “To have been chosen for this traineeship is a dream-come-true for me. It really is an excellent initiative and I believe having more ex-jockeys involved in the media will prove advantageous.
“Working in the racing media has always been what I’ve wanted to do after riding and, now thanks to JETS and Racecourse Media Group, it’s a definite possibility. I’m sure I will get some fantastic insights into all the different areas, which will hopefully offer me a bright future within our sport.”
The course will be hosted primarily at RMG’s London locations of Ealing and Victoria. Kiely is set to start on September 11, with Birkett on November 7.
Seb Vance, Director of PR & Communications at RMG, said: “Everyone at RMG was keen to make a meaningful contribution to the jockeys, especially in light of recent events on the track, which show just how precarious a career in the saddle can be.
“We are delighted to team up with JETS to offer the Traineeship and look forward to welcoming Shelley and Jason. We were impressed with their applications and interviews and are confident this will set them on the path to future successful careers in the media.”
