Matthew Brown to graduate with a first-class degree in BA Sports Journalism

Matthew Brown

BA Sports Journalism student Matthew Brown, from Rochdale, is set to graduate with a first-class degree, and he says it’s largely down to his work experience at Rochdale Online.

Matthew chose his course at UCLan as ‘the best combination’ of his love for both sports and writing.

A regular reader of Rochdale Online, he spent his work experience module at Rochdale Online in August 2016, to gain an insight into how local news works.

21-year-old Matthew said: “My grade is massively down to doing well in the work experience module and a big part of that was being at Rochdale Online. I wanted to get as much experience as possible in as many different areas of journalism as I could, so I wanted to do some work in local news.

“I really enjoyed the work experience. I wasn't sure what to expect but everyone was very friendly and helpful, and I was given plenty to do and lots of good advice from the Editor, Pauline, and reporter, Kirsty.

“I wasn't sure what to expect but it made me realise just how much Rochdale Online does: there's so much more than just the news aspect of the website.

"I didn't think I'd be trusted with as much work as I was but that was brilliant because it gave me more opportunities to write about different subjects. I'd only really written about sports before then so I think it helped me to become a better writer.

“There were lots of times where I felt a little bit daunted about calling certain people on the phone, and I also remember having to doorstep Simon Danczuk's office, which was a bit uncomfortable, but a good experience nonetheless. I think doing those things gave me a bit of a confidence boost too.

“There were plenty of good things, it was a good office to be a part of and I got to conduct lots of interesting interviews. I went to see some new police recruits and another good one was talking to an old friend of Gracie Fields, who had many fascinating stories to tell.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/104717/hazel-provost-%E2%80%93-my-years-with-gracie-fields%E2%80%99-in-capri

The Olympics were on at the time, too, so I was writing little bits about that as well, which was great as Nicola White, from Rochdale, won gold for GB with the women's hockey team during the games.”

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/4/sport-news/104690/nicola-white-scores-as-great-britain%E2%80%99s-women%E2%80%99s-hockey-team-win-olympic-gold-in-rio

The former Falinge Park High School student has also secured his first full-time job in a transcription role, but plans to continue reporting on sports and writing in his spare time.