Reporting on cricket matches can be a tough art to master but for Solent University students there is a fine opportunity to hone such skills. Hampshire County Cricket Club last year offered the chance for a selection of Solent students to work on a voluntary basis at the club and the success of the scheme has resulted in the initiative being offered again this year to another generation of budding Solent journalists and sports writers.
Students provided live match reports from The Rose Bowl, post game interviews, video and other content for the club website, whilst under the watchful eye of cricket journalist Jane Cable and Rose Bowl Marketing Executive Kevin Latouf. Cable was unmistakable in her praise for the work of the students: "It is purely down to the writing skills of the students involved that the reports read so well. It was really gratifying to see personal styles evolve alongside the by-lines that would become so familiar to our Hampshire website audience and members."
Sports Journalism course leader John May, who was involved in setting up the scheme, said: "The initiative is a tremendous opportunity for students to gain experience and to earn by-lines which they can show prospective employers. This summer the club is looking to expand the operation so as many as 20 students could be involved. There's also plans to develop the project so students will be required to provide content not just for the website, but also to provide video coverage too."
Working in a live environment was clearly beneficial for the students as they were placed side by side in the press box with seasoned journalists and the chance to work in a professional environment was greatly enjoyed. Steven Woodgate, 22, said: "It was a real revelation as to how good covering sport can be. I've managed to meet and speak with a host of cricket players such as Alistair Cook, Michael Carberry, Chris Tremlett and Dominic Cork. It's been a great experience and one I will always have with me wherever my journalistic career carries me. I've developed my skills which I can utilise when I leave university and progress in a career in the industry."
Nick Howson, 21, was also grateful for the opportunity: "There's an ambitious team down at Hampshire, on and off the pitch, and to be part of that one way or another is fantastic. The most fulfilling thing is that you're respected like an established journalist and to be treated like you belong was pretty gratifying. The club seem to trust us with the content that we've produced for the website and they've put plenty of faith in us to deliver on their expectations."
(Solent Speaker, 2010)
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