Journalism - Various:
As a part of my educational career, I studied Multimedia Journalism at the University of Salford - obtaining First Class Honours. Subsequently, I have gone on to work with journalistic organisations such as The Manchester Evening News - working as a Football Writer Intern for Manchester United & Manchester City stories. Esports News UK - working as an Esports reporter. National Student Esports - where I gained experience as an Esports Presenter & Commentator, also writing news articles for their website. & finally Salford-based news outlet SalfordNow - working as a multimedia reporter, which included being involved with press opportunities with Salford City FC. As well as all this, I have featured in a documentary for Pie & Ball Productions titled 'Bury: By the Fans, For the Fans' documenting the return of Bury Football Club following the club's administration in 2019. I also produced & appeared in the skin positivity podcast project titled: 'The Social Effect'. And finally, I have curated my own journalism projects on platforms such as Medium. Examples of all of this work have been grouped below into each separate experience.
Manchester Evening News:
My week's work experience Manchester Evening News took place in August of 2023. I was working alongside Reach PLC's Football Editor Alice McKeegan & Deputy Football Editor Lee Sweetenham as a Football Journalist, focussing on stories surrounding the City's two major football clubs; Manchester United & Manchester City. In that time, I managed to write sixteen articles - covering such topics as Manchester City's signing of Belgian winger Jeremy Doku from Rennes. Two articles covering how both club's summer sales were settling in at their new homes & even the story of how Lionel Messi's signing helped former Manchester United winger David Beckham's Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory. Six of the sixteen articles can be accessed below.
I worked as a Multimedia Journalist for Salford based news outlet Salford Now for almost three years between 2020 & 2023. Whilst there, I was able to attend press box opportunities with organisations such as The Class of 92's very own Salford City FC, interviewing players such as English Football Legend Matt Smith - as well as Ammies managers Neil Wood & Gary Bowyer. Working with Salford Now, I was also able to take part in a number of broadcast projects, producing TV & radio packages for the outlet - including a touching story of a Royal Navy cadet who hid his homosexuality for years in fear of being kicked out of the forces. This article, as well as five others can be accessed below. The full catalogue of my articles written for Salford Now can be accessed via this link.
Salford
Now:
Esports News
UK:
In October of 2021, I undertook a week's work experience with Esports News UK, under the tutelage of industry expert Dom Sacco. I worked as an Online Esports Journalist, curating story ideas and producing Esports content with a UK angle. Dom sited me as 'head & shoulders' above any other freelancers he had previously worked with in the time I was there. The time we spent together & the skills he taught me have stuck with me to this day. I covered stories such as Gen.G's British Rocket League players Noly & ApparentlyJack winning the first North American Regional of the season, Great Ormand Street Hospital's hosting of a charity streaming week & Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's signing with Soccer Manager 2023 amongst others. Below are six of the articles I wrote during my time there, the rest of my work for the outlet can be seen via this link.
During my time working within Journalism, I have also occasionally written a couple of paid articles for National Student Esports' (NSE) website. Liaising via NSE's Social Media & Community Manager, Jordan 'JordyUnknown' Winslow, I curated and produced articles within the collegiate Esports space, both examples of which can be accessed in the below section. On top of this, I have managed to gain some presenting and commentary experience with NSE, commentating over competitive Rocket League & Call of Duty, an example of the latter of which can be visible below the two featured articles.
National Student Esports (NSE):
Freelance Journalism projects:
Outside of my regulated, official work experience within Journalism, I also have rich experience in writing/curating my own personal pieces. Occasionally I write articles on my Medium blog, and have covered topics such as my experience of visiting the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2022 Spring Major. Footballer & Ex-Gibraltar captain Jayce Olivero's story, detailing his journey from being a just young boy who loved football in his native Gibraltar, to playing against the likes of Germany whilst simultaneously studying at university. I have selected six of my freelance articles to be accessible below.
Bury: By the Fans, For the Fans:
'Bury: By the Fans, For the Fans' is a mini-documentary that recounts the fateful day where the English Football League lost one of its most famous ever clubs, Bury FC. Telling the inspiring story of how the people of Bury came together to keep the spirit of football alive in their town.
Showcasing the work of both the Bury FC Supporters Society, & the since retired Bury AFC's efforts - including an interview with Bury AFC chairman Marcel De Matas & trips to the famous Gigg Lane stadium - we find out what work was done in the community to try and bring back their beloved Bury FC. The documentary ending with the massively important merger vote between the two parties, that took place in May of 2023.
I was lucky enough to be involved with this project, conducting interviews, being present on set & liaising with the production team in pre- & post-production, which was an overall fantastic experience - and one I am proud to say I was a part of. I also wrote a corresponding article, which is accessible in the 'Freelance Journalism Projects' section above this one.
The full documentary can be viewed in the section below.
The Social Effect
Podcast:
In early 2022, I was lucky enough to be a part of the production team for 'The Social Effect' Podcast, which was an honour, & a blast to work on.
This podcast, hosted by popular skin positivity influencer Faye Seager (@fayes_skin on Instagram), focusses on body positivity & self-image, & how social media can negatively & positively effect the self-confidence of those who use it.
The podcast includes interviews with Senior Health & Justice lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, Dr Kim Heyes - focussing on the effects that social media can have on mental health. A group of sixth-form students at King David High School, on the effect that social media is having on their generation's mental health. & finally an interview with fellow skin positivity influencer Khiarra, discussing her personal experience with how social media has effected her & her journey.
The podcast ends with a positive message, encouraging people to be confident in themselves & happy with their self-image. The full 40-minute episode can be listened to here, or in the section to the right.
