I realise it has been quite some time since I last posted anything and I do apologise, but I have been kept busy by an amount of various things.
Firstly, I "starred"in my first ever podcast! I spoke for around 30 minutes with the folks at Low Limit Futbol about everything Southampton. Leading up to my spot, I was filled with nerves as I hadn't done anything like it before but it was something I've wanted to do for some time. I enjoy the likes of Dan Le Batard and Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio and to get a chance to share my opinions was awesome.
(I believe I come in somewhere along the 15.30 mark as my voice may not be as recognisable as new acquaintances keep telling me I sound Scottish when I clearly don't!)
(I believe I come in somewhere along the 15.30 mark as my voice may not be as recognisable as new acquaintances keep telling me I sound Scottish when I clearly don't!)
Next, the sport pathway of my MA Journalism course has a community project built into it where we get to go out and cover different sports to gain experience. Most of the content we generate goes into weekly papers such as the Rossendale Free Press or Accrington Observer and when I finally got a chance to write about basketball I seized the opportunity.
My assignment was to produce a report and quotes piece for Lancashire Spinners, who had won the Patrons Cup. Through that, I somehow talked my way into being just a student with no power at the MEN in terms of coverage. The General Manager - thrilled at my own excitement to cover basketball - asked if I was interested in producing reports for their website whilst basically giving me free reign in the process AND another byline in the Bury Times. Claire Cameron at the Bury Times was kind enough to allow my name to be on the report as I'm writing them a second report with a slightly different angle to the website.
As far as experience, it's exactly what I want because I want to be a part of an organisation's media team as a career. There is just something about being able to develop close relationships with the players that is cool and exciting. With my first post game interviews the players were really pleased with my knowledge of the game as I asked about zone defences and about their productive inside-outside game leading to wide open looks.
Interviewing players and the podcast has definitely helped me to break out of my shell as, would you believe it, I'm a typically shy individual. I still stumble over my words every so often but that is to be expected as I'm still learning.
Interviewing players and the podcast has definitely helped me to break out of my shell as, would you believe it, I'm a typically shy individual. I still stumble over my words every so often but that is to be expected as I'm still learning.
In terms of proper school work, I have become more confident with shorthand after being promoted back to the fast group after a short two day stint in the second group. Still plenty of room for improvement as I'm just starting to nail 70 words per minute ahead of a 60 words per minute exam but I am pleased with my progress thus far.
Aside from that, I have played a hockey game with eight skaters. I played somewhere between 50-52 minutes of a 60 minute game. Nothing to be proud of but I am.
I've also been called a "tabloid hack" on a Macclesfield Town FC forum. Brilliant scenes and sooner rather than later it will be on my twitter bio. Never been more proud of ridicule.
I've also been called a "tabloid hack" on a Macclesfield Town FC forum. Brilliant scenes and sooner rather than later it will be on my twitter bio. Never been more proud of ridicule.
