Published on 05 December 2022
A University of Sunderland graduate is combining his creative talents with his love of the beautiful game to help thousands of vulnerable families across the north-east.
Kyle Ritchie was one of hundreds of Sunderland students who graduated at the Stadium of Light last week (November 30 - December 2), having already landed himself a dream job as Digital Content Officer and Videographer for the Foundation of Light – the official charity of Sunderland AFC.
Based at the Beacon of Light in Sunderland, the Foundation uses football as an inspirational tool to bring education, health and wellbeing to the Sunderland community and beyond – with outreach centres across the city as well as South Tyneside and County Durham.
Kyle, a big Black Cats fan, started volunteering at the Foundation in April this year, honing his filming skills as part of the University’s Sports Journalism MA. The charity was so impressed with his work, they created a new videographer role and Kyle was offered a permanent position just three months later.
Kyle, 23, from Barnard Castle, said: “I’d just like to say a massive thank you to the University of Sunderland for the support and the opportunities that I’ve been given during my course.
“We got the chance to sit in the press box at a Sunderland match and that was one of the most motivating things for me because it made me realise this is where I could end up if I work hard. Rubbing shoulders with some of the journalists there was really inspiring.”
Kyle, who also graduated from the University last year with a Languages and Sport degree, added: “I never really had an opportunity to try video and then when I saw it was one of the modules in the MA, that’s when I really started to progress and learn new skills.
“That is ultimately the reason why I have the job I do now.”
Kyle’s new role takes him out into our region’s communities, interviewing people whose lives have been changed by the Foundation, and sharing and promoting all the charity’s positive work through video.
Dr John Price, Programme Leader for MA Journalism (Sport) at the University of Sunderland, said: “Kyle was a hardworking and talented student who impressed across all modules on his course.
“He was a pleasure to work with and approached all the work opportunities offered him with enthusiasm. It is therefore a pleasure to see him finding employment and using his talents within an organisation that does such great work in the community.”