The programme
Why the Academy exists
Every industry needs new people to move forward. They bring new ideas, new perspectives and the confidence to question how things have always been done.
Whisper Academy opens the door to people who might never have found it, and gives them real experience, real responsibility and the backing to grow from day one.
At Whisper Cymru, our technical skills programme trains the next generation of specialists in the craft behind the work. In Kew, SW London, our runners programme provides a first step into the industry and a clear path forward from there.
The opportunity
Our trainees split their time between live productions and the office, so they see every stage of how a show comes together.
On set and on location, they work alongside our camera, lighting and studio teams. They get hands-on with the kit, handle footage from the shoot through to the edit, and learn the digital tools that keep our productions fast and organised. Back in the office, they help shape the creative. They dig into new programme ideas and help run casting sessions.
Trainees learn the speed of the job, the people who make it work and how production really runs. They leave with confidence and with the contacts that start careers.
The work
Our trainees do not just watch the biggest moments in sport. They help make them.
Past Academy trainees have worked on Wimbledon, Roland-Garros, the Paralympics and the Fury fight. They have also worked on shoots across the NFL, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby World Cup from Wales, PFL and eSports live events.
This year’s cohort goes even bigger. They are working on Wimbledon and Roland-Garros, two of tennis’s biggest tournaments, and on Sports Personality of the Year, the BBC’s flagship sports awards. In Cardiff, they are covering a packed rugby calendar: Super Rugby Cymru, the Men’s and U20 Six Nations, and the Women’s Six Nations.
Applications
Applications for the 2026 Whisper Academy are closed.
Want to be the first to hear when applications open for any of our programmes? Follow our social media pages and keep an eye on this page for when programmes go live.
We work closely with our inclusive partners Mama Youth Project, DANDI and Screen Alliance Wales to ensure our programmes are accessible to all new and emerging talent entering the creative industry, reflecting Whisper’s wider commitment to improve diversity and career progression in TV production.
Coming up: Whisper Women 2027
Whisper Women is the next step for Whisper Academy, building on everything our Cymru and Kew programmes have taught us.
While those entry-level programmes bring new talent into the industry, our focus for 2027 is on tackling the barriers that cause many women to leave. Women remain under-represented across the creative industries, particularly in technical and leadership roles, and that gap will not close by itself.
Our new programme supporting women launches next year and takes the Academy beyond the first step, with training, mentoring and the backing women need to remain in the industry and move into senior roles.
When women rise, they open the way for the next generation, and the whole industry gets stronger, fairer and more creative.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t. Whisper Academy closes that gap.