The fourth lecture of UniSport ViLA delivered another round of inspiration, hands-on knowledge, and an exclusive look into the world of sports media. Through lectures and discussions, participants found answers to questions such as: how do athletes become brands, what is the true power of social media in sports, and what really happens behind the camera and microphone at major sports events.
Ines Jakopanec: From Volunteer to the European Stage
The first speaker, Ines Jakopanec (Croatian Water Polo Federation, European Aquatics), began her journey in sports media as a volunteer, and today she is one of the leading regional experts in sports communications and social media.
During her lecture, Ines shared experiences from major sports events such as the 2022 European Water Polo Championship in Split, held in the heart of Spaladium Arena, and the European Championship in Zagreb at Mladost. She placed special emphasis on social media strategy – how to create content the audience genuinely wants to see, what to watch for when communicating live from the field, and how to respond in crisis situations. She presented participants with concrete tips & tricks she uses in practice – from planning posts, selecting visuals and tone of messaging, to using statistics and analytics as decision-making tools.
Leonarda Pavić: Beneath the Surface of Sports Reporting
The second lecture was delivered by Leonarda Pavić, a former Croatian national water polo player and the first woman in Croatia to commentate on football matches on television. Today, she is a commentator, editor, and host of sports programs on ArenaSport, with a focus on UEFA competitions.
Leonarda gave participants a closer look at the world of sports reporting that audiences don’t see – from pre-broadcast preparation to the challenges of working in the field. She explained the logistics of organizing a sports broadcast, how many people are involved in producing what seems like a simple recording, and how crucial team trust is when the “camera starts rolling.” She also shared personal experiences from the commentator’s booth and the challenges she faced as a woman in the traditionally male-dominated media space. A key part of her lecture focused on the need for more media coverage of women’s sports and how media can (and should) help shape public perceptions of sport.
Learning Through Practice
At the end of the session, participants divided into teams to analyze previously assigned practical tasks, applying their new knowledge and exchanging ideas.
Two more days of lectures and learning lie ahead, followed by the event of the year – the UniSport Finals in Poreč, where only the top-performing participants of our academy will earn the opportunity to volunteer.
Comments are closed