Sports journalism is becoming big business in the higher education sector. In the past year or so, the number of dedicated university courses has spiralled.

The benefits to colleges come in the form of better recruitment, more income from fees, the anticipation of higher student ‘approval’ratings, and the nurturing of ‘community links’with local clubs prepared to accommodate tutors and undergraduates.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists last week put a batch of 29 candidates through an examination for a preliminary certificate in sports journalism.