One of our sports students managed to secure themselves some exciting work experience, covering one of the world’s most followed football clubs.
Jacob Jones is currently in the second year of his level 3 sports programme and has a passion for football, so was delighted when an opportunity to visit Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse ground came knocking.
A lifelong Wolverhampton Wanderers fan, Jacob got the opportunity to work with Sky Sports journalist Johnny Phillips after playing football outside of college for Wolves All Stars with his uncle.
Jacob said: “Wolves All Stars is a charitable team made up of ex-players and people involved with the club. I met Johnny through there and I got his contact details. We got talking and he offered me the opportunity to come to Wrexham and shadow him for an interview with striker Paul Mullin.”
Following the two consecutive promotions and a docuseries on Disney+, Wrexham AFC has become a household name across the globe, following the acquisition of the club by Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020.
“When I arrived at the club. I spoke to Johnny about his career and how his journey in to sports journalism. He showed me how to set up the cameras and how microphones work, acting as a test for the interview.
“When Paul Mullin arrived, I was able to sit in the interview to see the process of how it is recorded and produced. I also took some video and photography for Johnny’s professional social media. Paul was really nice and we talked either side of the interview.
“I found the experience really insightful and entertaining; I even had the opportunity to sit in Ryan Reynolds’ executive box! It was interesting to see all the major television coverage at a club so far down in the leagues, as this much media coverage of a club their size is extremely rare.”
The former Madeley Academy pupil applied to Telford College after discovering a sports programme that matched his passion.
“I’ve always been interested in sport from a young age. I spoke to sport and public services learner manager Melanie Newbrook about the course and she explained how it covers topics such as coaching, anatomy and performance. I felt that it gave me an all-round knowledge about the industry and kept my options of specialism open.
“My dream job is in sports journalism, whether it’s in a club or in external coverage in a network such as Sky or TNT. Johnny told me about a postgraduate route at Sky Sports that can lead into coverage of games like the Champions’ League at a large network.
“I love football and boxing; those are the two sports I want to work in the most. I did a write up for my Sunday league team’s last game which we posted on the club’s social media as a bit of extra experience.
“I want to go to UCFB (University Campus of Football Business) to study sports journalism at their Etihad campus, it’s a prestigious school in the industry and there’s so many placement opportunities in clubs in the Manchester area.”
Melanie said: “Jacob has been an excellent student here at Telford College; he has always worked hard gaining high grades in his course work along with volunteering and helping out at every opportunity.
“This has allowed him to gain the confidence and experience to prepare him for his progression onto university. This opportunity has been fantastic for Jacob to have an insight into the PR side if sport.”
If you’re inspired by Jacob’s story and want to follow in his footsteps, check out our sports programmes or visit an open event today.
