ABOUT ME
This page is dedicated to my biography, accomplishments and recommendations.
BIOGRAPHY
Growing up, I always had a love for sport, particularly football and rugby league – watching my hometown clubs, Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors. My passion for this industry started at a very early age - unbelievably I began commentating on football games - albeit on the video game Fifa! I would hide away in my bedroom and commentate as if I was at the actual game and it was at this point when I knew I wanted to work in the media. Having a keen interest in sport and the thought of being able to work and report on it at the same time intrigued me. This is where my aspirations began.
Over the past four years, I have achieved three A-levels at college and have studied and learned BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism at the University of Salford, where I am currently in my third and final year. Studying at MediaCityUK campus, I have learned the key aspects of journalism by professional journalist lecturers and have put my skills into practice by working and producing an array of news and sport content and stories for a variety of media platforms, including the university's in-house news organisation, Salford Now and also Shock Radio. I have achieved a Gold Standard National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) in Sports Journalism whilst at University.
Alongside my studies, I have been working part-time at Wigan Warriors - the rugby league club I have supported since I was seven years old - as a Media and Communications Executive, Commentator and Podcast Co-host, and have worked inside famous sporting stadia such as the Camp Nou, Old Trafford and Anfield.
I have also been lucky enough to gain work experience at other high profile media organisations such as the BBC, ITV, Manchester United, Reach PLC and Newsquest - covering both news and sport topics.
During my spare time at University, I have been involved in extra-curricular activities, including presenting and producing on Shock Radio – main campus’ radio station. Not only becoming the Head of Sport for the second year (October 2018 - May 2019), I am also part of The Monday Mix, which is an entertainment show, hosted by myself and three of my fellow course students since October 2018.
I have been involved in fundraising too - in March 2019 we (The Monday Mix) raised £730 for Comic Relief after completing a 15-hour Row-A-Thon, where we rowed on a rowing machine for 3.75 hours each and broadcast live through one night in the Shock Radio studios.
Studying journalism at University at the same as having a part-time job within the media industry has helped developed my skills extensively. I am enthusiastic and committed towards this field of work I have chosen as a career and hope to put my education and experiences into valuable resource.
I also have a full UK driving licence with my own vehicle.
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To find out more about my work, please browse my newly updated portfolio and get in touch if you have any questions.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Shock Radio Manager’s Choice Award at the 2019 Shock Awards (University of Salford)
Best Entertainment at the 2019 Shock Radio Awards: The Monday Mix (University of Salford)
Best Student Led Event at the 2019 Students Union Awards: The Row-A-Thon (University of Salford)
Highly Commended for Best Radio Journalist of the Year at the 2018 Journalism Awards (University of Salford)
Highly Commended for Best Feature at the 2019 Shock Radio Awards: Happy Slappy (The Monday Mix) (University of Salford)
Highly Commended for Best Male at the 2019 Shock Radio Awards (University of Salford)
Shortlisted for Best Male at the 2018 Shock Radio Awards (University of Salford)
Shortlisted for Best Male at the 2019 SRA I Love Student Radio Awards (Swansea University)
Shortlisted for Best Outreach Project at the 2019 SRA I Love Student Radio Awards: The Row-A-Thon (Swansea University)
Shortlisted for Team of the Year at the 2019 SRA I Love Student Radio Awards: Shock Radio Sports team (Head of Sport) (Swansea University)
Shortlisted for Best Sports Programming at the 2019 Student Radio Association Awards: Shock Radio Sports team (Head of Sport) (O2 Arena, London)
RECOMMENDATIONS
"Alastair has grown at an incredible rate during his time with Wigan Warriors as Media Executive. Due to his impressive work-ethic, inquisitive nature and will to succeed he has quickly blossomed into a key member of the media team’s output across a series of mediums. His conscientious approach to learning and his confidence in carrying out new tasks and tackling new challenges has seen him progress into someone who has a proven track record of creating and curating engaging, varied and informative content across a multitude of platforms."
Matt Hennessey
Media and Communications Manager
Wigan Warriors Rugby league Club
"Alastair was an absolute pleasure to work with while he was on two weeks work placement with us at BBC Radio Manchester. I was extremely impressed with his enthusiasm and willingness to learn. He produced some great recorded packages and vox pops on a wide variety of topics, adding his own impressive creative flair to each of them. He was also a valuable and capable member of our team when we did a three hour live outside broadcast for Children in Need in Manchester city centre which required some serious multi tasking and quick decision making! I would happily work with him again and look forward to seeing his star shine!"
Michelle Adamson
Producer
BBC Radio Manchester
"Alastair spent a week’s work experience with us on the combined Bolton News and Lancashire Telegraph sports desk and proved himself to be a very good member of the team. Right from the off he got stuck into a wide range of stories and showed himself to be a very good interviewer and writer. He also helped our Bolton Wanderers podcast, producing a video to promote the show showing his versatility. I am keen to have Alastair back in to the office and would definitely consider him for future employment opportunities."
Adam Lord
Regional Sports Editor
Newsquest Media Group Ltd
