23 October 2025
#PCCC 2025 Sports Media Trainee Blogs
Caroline Sherman (22) from the United States and Kate Hall (25) from England are the latest winners of the Sports Media Trainee Programme for the 2025-2026 season. In July, they were chosen to join the World Curling Media Team at the US Steel Pan Continental Curling Championships 2025 in Virginia, United States.
CAROLINE SHERMAN
FINAL REFLECTIONS
Every single day starts and ends with curling. But honestly, I can’t complain. I found myself interested in covering every single event possible that was available to me. Even when I was offered a morning off, it was an inner battle – did I really need a little more sleep over my joy of covering these games.
The overall environment provided by the media team was extremely inviting and made me very aware of how much time I had left with them. Each game finishing means less time interacting with such incredible people. I’ve consistently had lovely conversations with multiple athletes; Team Australia checking in to make sure I was handling the cold well, and commenting about how I don’t have a Brooklyn accent being from New York (I’m from Rochester lol). Then, Ben Hebert from Canada, posing for me, asking if the angle was flattering. I think it looks “tuff”, but you can decide for yourself:
(Photo here)
As for my photo creations during this trip, I am beyond thankful I purchased a new hard drive before coming here. Just to give you an idea of how much coverage I did, my hard drive is 4 TB and I’ve used 352 GB worth of storage…. yeah it’s a lot. Of that amount, I’ve probably taken around 500 photos I like and are usable for World Curling. I haven’t had enough time to fully sift through my favorite photos and decide what my top 10 are. But just to give you a little preview, here are some current favorites that I found quickly.
(All photos here)
I shoot Nikon, but had the opportunity to steal some Canon gear from Stephen and Logan. No, I’m not switching sides. I will remain loyal to my awesome Nikon equipment. However, it was quite nice to use a 300mm lens for a chunk of games and also challenge myself with how different canon setting are. Great in terms of being flexible with all gear. Logan also brought some prism filter and man were those fun to play with. We had to hide them for certain game days so that we had plenty of photos without the those effects because of course you need variety of the content you’re producing. I understand us photographers look like a bunch of nerds when it comes to new gear. But you need to compare it to one of your niche interests and think about when you discover new information and new tools to make your job even cooler. Call us lame, I don’t care. Our content is awesome.
Overall, I would recommend this programme for everyone looking to expand their knowledge of sports coverage and photography skills. This is a great opportunity to absorb so much information about curling and experiment with content creation. I walked in knowing the basics and left understanding pieces of strategy in multiple game scenarios.
As for photography, it is so much time to play and try things you’ve wanted to test out. The access is great and something you rarely get with other sports at such a high level. The best part is how supportive the media team is. Everyone is there is help each other and have fun! There’s no head butting and intimidation from being competitive, which I’ve seen everywhere. I’m sad to say I feel like I had to leave my family after spending 10 days together every second of the day. I hope to be invited back for future events.
American culture and heavy stones
Starting off with a few updates on American culture. Stephen is amazed by the portion size of a medium coffee (which to me is just a normal coffee mug). Amy found her cinnamon waffles at breakfast to be slightly spicy and really enjoyed some chili roasted pistachios as a later day snack.
I was prepared for freezing temperatures being in northern Minnesota, and having frozen feet and fingertips inside the curling venue. Having plenty of experience with inconsistent cold-weather living in New York and also growing up playing ice hockey, I knew temperature is always a tossup. Dare I say this venue is one of the warmest facilities I’ve been in.
The first few days of games have been completely unexpected in the most positive way. I watched lots of curling games before the PCCC to get a basic understanding but there was so much more information to process watching in person. I’m surrounded by an incredible media staff that is actively offering advice as games are underway. Photographer, Logan Hannigan-Downs, who was a previous trainee, is quick to answer my random bursts of questions. The importance of the hammer and how it rotates between teams, the action of pebbling the ice and learning about the chemicals mixed in so that it has a higher freezing point. The most surprising element is the stones. I couldn’t believe how big and heavy they are; at least double the size and weight I was originally anticipating.
Between practice and a couple of games, I have already created such a wide chaotic range of imagery. Stephen has consistently reminded me that we have lots of days left to experiment and have fun. I always refer news sport atmospheres as a “play around” because you have fresh eyes and have lots of time to play. Curling has been the best example of that so far with multiple days to explore and always look for a different angle. It is a great way to experiment and challenge yourself when there is so much time available.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I was familiar with the Sports Media Trainee Programme as multiple of my university alumni attended previous years. The overall experience for the students was extremely educational, and a great networking opportunity, encouraging other students like myself to apply.
Though I’ve covered a wide variety of sports, curling was completely new to me. Being selected for the Pan Continental Curling Championships was exciting, as I enjoy having the opportunity to explore and experiment in unfamiliar settings.
I arrived to Virginia, Minnesota after an eight hour travel day from Rochester, New York. What seemed like a long flight trip for my first time flying alone was actually the shortest travel distance compared to my fellow trainee [Kate] flying from England. I luckily had an early morning flight and was able to land in Minnesota by 2PM.
The travel day gave me two days to socialize and bond with the Media Team. We had plenty of time to walk around the small town of Virginia, and witness a lot of firsts for the European media members. Exploring each aisle at the local Target, trying their first pumpkin spice latte, the discovery of a fish shaped mailbox and constant waves of shock from drink and food portion sizes really summarizes the American experience.
It’s been a great first few days ending with a team dinner each night. Lots of friendly banter with some blips of explanations for curling game rules and strategy. I’d say my biggest challenge so far is Amy Gibson’s [World Curling Content Creator] accent, as she cracks jokes at an incredible speed which is impossible for me to understand, considering it’s the first time being around a Scottish accent. Overall, I’ve been jittery to begin the first round of curling games.
KATE HALL
final reflections
Going into the traineeship, I was hoping to gain hand-on experience, but I came away with far more, insight into the fast-paced world of international sport through the lens of a governing body, a deeper understanding of communication and storytelling, and a new sense of confident in my own abilities.
From assisting with interviews and reports to creating digital content and supporting features, each task brought something new to learn. There was never a dull moment, and I appreciated how much trust and responsibility we were given from day one.
Would I recommend the programme? Without hesitation. It’s the kind of experience that challenges you, teaches you and give you the chance to contribute to something special, You come away not only with new skills but with a clearer sense of direction and a lasting network of people who share the same enthusiasm for sport and storytelling.
The journey home, however, was a different kind of adventure. I left Virginia at 11:45am on Monday 27th of October, thinking the trip back would be simple enough. The Duluth flight to Minneapolis was delayed, which meant I missed my connection, despite sprinting to the gate with Jodi, only to see the plane already gone. From there, I was rerouted through Amsterdam and finally to Heathrow, where I discovered my bags had taken an entirely separate route. After waiting two and a half hours for them to catch up, I eventually made it home, twenty-one hours after leaving Minnesota.
Exhausting? Absolutely. But somehow fitting, a chaotic, memorable ending to an unforgettable experience.
Curling? I hardly knew her. Now I think I do…!
After the first few days of the traineeship and once the competition had begun, I started to find my rhythm and feel more settled in both the work and the curling environment.
During the round-robin stage of the competition, much of my time was spent assisting with post-game interviews. After each session, speaking with the athletes offered genuine insight into their emotions and reflections on their team’s performance. At first, I was focused on getting the questions right, and remembering to press record, but the more interviews I conducted, the more confident I became. The process started to feel natural, and each conversation became an opportunity to better understand the athletes, the sport, and the subtle dynamics that shape each match.
Alongside interviews, I was also responsible for helping Mike draft game reports. To bring these to life, I assisted with short athlete interviews to gather quotes that captured their immediate reactions and reflections. As with the post-game interviews, shadowing Mike and gaining experience in the reporting and journalistic side of sport was an invaluable learning opportunity.
Beyond match coverage, I worked on a series of feature stories, including one for Mental Health Awareness Month. This involved developing a piece using quotes from athletes that Amy and Emily had gathered during interviews on media day. The feature offered a more vulnerable and personal look into the emotional side of being an athlete and highlighted the importance of open conversations around mental health in sport.
Another project I worked on involved interviewing Kristen Tsourlenes, an Australian curler and medical nurse. Her perspective on balancing a demanding profession with elite sport was inspiring to hear, and I really enjoyed writing her feature to share her unique story. It was a reminder of how sport provides a platform to share experiences that resonate far beyond competition.
On the social media side, I continued to develop content for TikTok and Instagram Reels, focusing on capturing the energy and personality of the athletes and the event. Through this, I gained a stronger understanding of digital storytelling and a greater awareness of how to stay on top of current trends to increase engagement and reach new audiences.
As I’m writing this, I’m very much looking to what the final few days have to bring!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Cue the harp flashback sound effect.
May 2025.
I was parked at my desk, trawling through job listings with a familiar mix of optimism and hopelessness. I’d been searching for something that would get me back into the world of sport, an ambition that had been quietly simmering in the background for a while. Then something caught my eye, the 2025 World Curling Sports Media Traineeship.
It sounded too good to be true. A chance to combine my love of sport with storytelling, gain hands-on experience at a curling championship, and learn from professionals in a global sporting environment. Despite my lack of curling knowledge, I clicked through immediately.
Details had just gone live, and before I knew it, I was deep in the application process, a TikTok/Instagram Reel promoting one of the upcoming curling championships, a 500-word essay on my favourite Olympic memory and the significance of it to me, and a 100-word rationale explaining the creative choices behind the reel.
Challenge accepted.
Within a few days, my submission was sent off. Still, I tried not to get carried away. After all, recent job hunting had taught me to manage expectations. Don’t get your hopes up too much, I told myself.
Then came the email inviting me to an interview, cautious excitement. A few days later, another message, I’d been selected. Cue very incautious excitement. Yippee!
Fast forward a few months, and it was go time. After a close shave and nearly missing my flight due to a diverted bus journey, I thankfully boarded the plane from London Heathrow.
After three in-flight movies and 9-hours later, I touched down in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The trip started in the best possible way when I bumped into my fellow World Curling colleagues Jodi and Amy at the airport. Any nerves I had disappeared as we enjoyed an airport beverage before our next flight to Duluth, our near-final destination.
After a short domestic hop and shuttle ride later, we arrived at our hotel. We had two days to get our bearings, settle in and adjust to the time zone change. Between unpacking, exploring and hunting for the best pumpkin spiced latte, discovering what the inside of an American Aldi is like, and watching some freight trains go by. The first 48 hours were a blur of introductions, Grandma’s saloon, and several trips to Walmart.
From day one, the Media Team were incredibly supportive (they forced me to say this), helping me navigate everything from what to expect over the coming week to curling jargon, and most importantly, treating me like a part of the team. It wasn’t a “watch and learn”, it was “get stuck in.” By the end of day two, I was already pitching ideas to Mike, chatting content plans and excited to get started.
The first official day kicked off with media day and athlete practice. My task? Capture social media content for Instagram Reels and TikTok. I’ll admit, I was a little apprehensive at first, approaching world champions and decorated athletes and asking them to join in felt a little bit daunting to say the least. But Amy walked me through the trends we were aiming to capture and before long, I realised how open and friendly everyone was.
It was also great to watch my very first curling game. Afterwards, I interviewed the winning skips from each team, and seeing those go live on World Curling’s social channels was a very good feeling!
