Rugby League Writer

We have an exciting opportunity for a creative Journalist or Reporter to join our team of sports writers. You will join our successful Rugby League Live team as a Rugby League Writer, creating content aimed at engaging fans and bringing a new and returning audience to our site, newsletters and social channels.

We’re looking for someone with a willingness and tenacity to break exclusives and set the news agenda, who can also be the voice of the fans in the sport and bring all the colour of matchdays to readers with live coverage of Super League games. You’ll need experience of live blogging games and creating feature content that reaches a wide audience.

You will also be part of a wider team of Sports Journalists working across Super League and beyond as part of our Rugby League team at Reach, in helping to ensure we cover the biggest rugby league stories brilliantly across the game both in written format but also through our successful podcast.

We know sports media across the UK needs to be more representative of the fans who read our journalism. We particularly want to hear from people who feel their voice isn't being heard in sports journalism, and who want to play a leading role in helping to shape a more inclusive future for sports journalism. 

We are happy to consider applications on a flexible working basis, and will always aim to accommodate requests where possible.

This role is home based however due to the nature of the role, you will need to be based within the North of England.

What will the role involve?

• Producing first class original content including features, opinion, comment and reportage that will engage diverse audience needs
• Focused on high impact content around the biggest talking points directly and indirectly affecting all Super League clubs.
• React to the biggest stories with alternative ideas which go beyond the news or opinion cycle which are both engaging and thought provoking
• Find and tell stories which entice as many readers as possible and will be of interest to people around the world
• Have an eye for tactical, profiled and alternative content with a unique writing style which can lend itself to on-pitch topics and the wider football landscape
• Help edit and upload when needed, as well as general site management
• Use X, Facebook and other social media platforms to example content daily as well as instigate native, engaging content
• Be part of video and audio content ideas and practices which help build community and loyalty to the site and brand
• Be a public face of our sports coverage
• Ensure every piece of content is thoroughly researched and balanced prior to publication, in accordance with the Editor’s Code of practice
• Modify working practices and learn new skills in order with company requirements
• Uphold Reach's policy around diversity and inclusion and work to ensure our values around non discrimination are upheld in everything we publish

Who are we looking for?

• NCTJ or equivalent journalism degree and knowledge of media law
• Experience/awareness of SEO and other website traffic driving strategies
• Social media presence and capability to capture engagement using varied platforms
• A wide range of rugby league knowledge and written skills which are able to form features, opinion and journalistic material, dependant on circumstances
• Passion for digital storytelling which goes beyond the confines of local journalism 
• Minimum one year experience in writing rugby league content with the ability to example work
• Demonstrable knowledge of rugby league which goes beyond mere awareness

What can we offer you?

We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including;

• Help saving for your retirement - join our pension scheme and we’ll match contributions up to 6%
• 25 days’ holiday per year when you join. After three, five and ten years’ service with Reach, you’ll accrue one additional day of annual leave. We also have a Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Giving back day - an additional day’s leave each year to support a cause close to your heart
• Enhanced family leave - including maternity, paternity and adoption - and you’ll be eligible after just six months’ employment
• Private Healthcare Cash Plan - free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses
• As one of the UK’s top 50 Inclusive Employers everyone’s invited to join our events, programmes and networks to celebrate diversity and build an environment where all our people can thrive
• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest
• Awesome career opportunities - you’ll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
• We are also a member of the 30% Club, a global campaign aimed at increasing gender diversity at board and senior management levels

Reach plc believes diversity brings benefits for our customers, our business and our people. This is why we are committed to being an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all suitable applicants irrespective of background, circumstances, age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.