ONLINE
This page is dedicated to the web articles I have written for a range of different media organisations.
WIGAN WARRIORS
(March 2017 - Present)
Working as a Media and Communications Executive, I cover multiple departments and topics to craft and create content, including the club's website and social media. I work with professional athletes and conduct interviews, as well as executing agreed content plans across multiple channels for high profile events, including ground breaking games at the Camp Nou in Barcelona and the 2018 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Website
I have continuously written and published my own articles on the club's website.
Below is a collection of examples of my work.
SAM BURGESS AT THE DW
29th January 2020
Rugby league legend Sam Burgess says he is bringing ‘around 25 people’ from Yorkshire to the DW Stadium on Thursday night to support his brother George who is set to make his Wigan Warriors and Super League debut.
Wigan host Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League opener and former duel-code international Sam shared his excitement of what will be a ‘great night’ watching the Warriors and his younger brother from the stands with family and friends.
Speaking ahead of attending Wigan Warriors Connect - a business event held at Robin Park Arena on Wednesday night, Sam said: “He (George) knows what he has to do. I don’t want to make it too emotional for him because performance is the main priority.
WIGAN HIT SKOLARS FOR 70
17th January 2020
Wigan Warriors posted 70 points and recorded their biggest win in the annual pre-season Capital Challenge friendly against London Skolars on Friday.
Amid fears the game could have been called off due to a waterlogged pitch and health and safety concerns raised by match officials prior to kick-off, the fixture went ahead in unusual circumstances – each team playing 10 a side, on a reduced, unaffected and smaller pitch and in four timed quarters – all falling into the RFL’s match regulations.
Set within London’s financial district at the iconic Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) ground, Wigan scored 12 tries overall – six in each half – with 11 of those being converted to settle the 6-70 result against the Betfred League 1 outfit.
TEN MINUTES WITH TOM O'MALLEY
27th December 2019
Wigan Warriors Head Physiotherapist Tom O’Malley says plans are in place for Jackson Hastings to get up to speed with his new teammates when he arrives at the Club at the start of January.
O’Malley and his physio team are making sure there is a strong schedule in place to make sure the 2019 Steve Prescott Man of Steel can settle into the fitness regime quickly - in time for the start of the new Betfred Super League season.
During an interview with the Club at Robin Park Arena this week, O’Malley said: “For Jackson you’re looking at a really short pre-season. There are certain things you want people to tick off in their own time. You would want them to maintain some level of aerobic fitness as a base.
O'LOUGHLIN: DAY ONE BONUS
30th November 2019
Wigan Warriors skipper Sean O’Loughlin says starting pre-season from day one will benefit him in the long run as he prepares to play in his final season for the Club.
Despite not being picked for Great Britain’s recent four-match Tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, the 37-year-old loose forward admits returning to the Warriors camp with the majority of the squad has allowed him the opportunity to train harder.
On previous occasions, O’Loughlin has only started pre-season in the new year because of his international commitments with England.
TIME TO BUILD: LAM
26th November 2019
Wigan Warriors Head Coach Adrian Lam says the foundations are in place for his side to build on last season as he hopes to see “a real steeled team” come the start of the new campaign.
Lam took charge in his first year at the helm and he believes the lessons learned from the disappointing end to 2019 will benefit his team going into next season.
On his first day back at Robin Park Arena on Monday, he said: “We’re 12 months down the track now from when I took over - we can build blocks from here and that will already be engrained in the players.
IN FOCUS: SEAN O'LOUGHLIN
17th November 2019
After signing a one-year contract extension with Wigan Warriors for what will be his final season, we take an in-depth look at Sean O’Loughlin’s 18-year stellar career.
The 36-year-old will now enter his 19th season with his hometown club in 2020, having signed a new-deal to remain at the DW Stadium.
He has played his entire rugby league career at Wigan and is one of the most respected, consistent and inspirational individuals of the Super League era.
2020 FIXTURES IN NUMBERS
5th November 2019
A statistical breakdown of everything you need to know about Wigan Warriors’ 2020 fixtures.
The Lowdown
The new Betfred Super League structure, which was created last year, guarantees one-up, one-down promotion and relegation in a 12-team competition.
All teams will play each other once home and away, plus six additional fixtures and the Dacia Magic Weekend, ending with the top five teams in a Play-Off series which culminates in a Grand Final to crown the Super League Champions at Old Trafford.
FELL AT LAST HURDLE: GILDART
5th October 2019
Oliver Gildart admitted there were tears in the Wigan Warriors changing room after Friday night’s Play-Off loss to Salford Red Devils.
Gildart played alongside his best mate George Williams for the final time in a Wigan shirt as they were defeated 4-28 by Salford in the Betfred Super League Semi-Final at the DW Stadium.
The centre, who grew up with Williams in the Wigan Academy all the way through to the first team, wished him well as he moves on to Canberra Raiders in the NRL in 2020.
“I’m heartbroken it will be my last time I will play with George,” an emotional Gildart said.
SALFORD RED DEVILS PREVIEW
2nd October 2019
Everything you need to know for Friday’s Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Final against Salford Red Devils.
The Brief
Wigan Warriors host Salford Red Devils at the DW Stadium in the Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Final on Friday night (7:45pm K.O).
The reigning Betfred Super League Champions will welcome Ian Watson’s outfit to the DW Stadium with the winner set to face St Helens in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 12th October.
U19S GF PREVIEW: ST HELENS
18th September 2019
Wigan Warriors Under-19s Head Coach Shane Eccles hopes his players can rise to the occasion and turn all the hard work from the 2019 season into success as they take on St Helens in the Academy Super League Grand Final at the DW Stadium on Friday night.
Eccles’ side scored nine tries to beat Warrington Wolves 50-22 in last Saturday’s semi-final, as winger Cian Tyrer grabbed a hat-trick, while skipper Harry Smith collected 18 points with a try and seven goals.
THE WARRIORS ARE BACK
26th August 2019
After a week away from rugby league action, Wigan Warriors’ first team, Academy and Women all return to the field in the next six days.
All three teams are set to play against Wakefield Trinity, with the Under-19s and Women hosting the West Yorkshire Club over the weekend, whilst the first team will travel to the Mobile Rocket Stadium on Sunday.
First up though is the Under-19s’ game in hand fixture away to Widnes Vikings. Shane Eccles’ side travel to the Halton Stadium on Wednesday night (7pm K.O.) on the back of 12 straight wins in the Academy Super League.
WIGAN'S THREE YOUNG GUNS
25th August 2019
Wigan Warriors Assistant Coach Matty Peet says rising stars Ollie Partington, Liam Byrne and Morgan Smithies must not get ahead of themselves after making the rugby league headlines in recent weeks due to their impressive performances.
Peet, who has coached the trio since they joined the Club’s Academy system, stresses they must ‘judge themselves on what their coaches and families think’ as opposed to opinions on the outside.
All three Academy graduates have been inducted into Wigan’s first team over the past year and the coach believes the recent media publicity has been deserved, but says it is important for the youngsters to keep their feet on the ground.
DUAL REG & LOAN RECAP
19th August 2019
Chris Hankinson and Craig Mullen both scored a try each on dual-registration to help Swinton Lions beat Halifax RLFC in the Betfred Championship on Sunday.
The two backs both started for Stuart Littler’s side, as did loose forward Jack Wells, while loanee prop forward Samy Kibula made an appearance off the bench to feature in the 32-12 win at Heywood Road.
U16S SIGN OFF IN STYLE
8th August 2019
An Ethan Fitzgerald hat-trick inside the opening 13 minutes inspired Wigan Warriors Under-16s to a 44-20 victory over Huddersfield Giants at the Robin Park Arena on Thursday.
In what was their final game of the 2019 season, Anthony Atherton’s side won their fourth consecutive outing and made it five from seven this campaign.
Three tries from Fitzgerald, braces from Alex Sutton and Logan Astley, plus efforts from Reagan Sumner and Jamie Wilde saw off a battling Giants outfit.
COOKING FOOD WITH THE ROYAL MARINES
4th August 2019
Wigan Warriors’ Academy teams put their cooking skills to the test on Tuesday and Wednesday as they took part in a kitchen workshop with Royal Marines EAT.
Both the Under-19s and Under-16s squads worked in pairs to produce a healthy dish for one another to help them enhance their eating lifestyle in and outside of their rugby league lives.
Member of the Royal Marines Commandos, Colonel Sergeant Mike Beaton, led the events at the Robin Park Arena and he says food is an integral part of a player’s preparation for performing well on the field.
I'LL GIVE MY ALL: FRENCH
31st July 2019
After meeting his teammates for the first time at the new Robin Park Arena training performance centre, Bevan French says he will play with his ‘heart’ for Wigan Warriors.
The Australian back arrived in Wigan on Wednesday morning after signing for the Club with immediate effect from NRL side Parramatta Eels.
And French, who is described by Head Coach Adrian Lam as “an entertainer” and “a natural footballer”, is excited to put on the Cherry and White jersey when he makes his debut.
THANKFUL TO SWINTON: GOULDING
24th July 2019
Wigan Warriors first team coach Darrell Goulding has praised Swinton Lions for providing a platform for young players to gain vital match experience.
Both Wigan and Swinton have developed a close relationship over recent years that has seen the likes of Liam Marshall, Chris Hankinson and Ollie Partington play at Heywood Road either on dual-registration or on loan to increase fitness and prepare for progression into the Warriors first team.
And Goulding has stated it is an ‘easy transition’ for current Wigan players to adapt to the Betfred Championship club’s surroundings because of the similar values it has to those of the Warriors.
STAKE A CLAIM: BYRNE
20th June 2019
Liam Byrne says his return to the Wigan Warriors first team in the last two weeks has made him hopeful of maintaining a place in Adrian Lam’s side for the rest of the season.
The 19-year-old prop made his first appearance since April in the defeat to St Helens last week and he featured off the bench again in Thursday’s win against Wakefield Trinity.
Academy product Byrne has also spent time on dual-registration at Betfred Championship club Swinton Lions this campaign.
LAM PREVIEWS ST HELENS
9th July 2019
Adrian Lam says a win against arch rivals St Helens on Friday would mentally benefit his Wigan Warriors players for the rest of the season.
Saints have won 19 of their 21 games this campaign and have beaten Wigan twice, but Lam believes the optimism of success this year would be boosted immensely if they were to be victorious at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Speaking at the joint press conference on Tuesday, he said: “A win would mean a lot to us. Obviously, we haven’t beaten them this year in the two games we’ve played them.
DADS AND LADS
16th June 2019
As it’s Father’s Day, we delve into Wigan Warriors’ history and take a look at the current and previous dads and their sons or daughters to have both played for the Club.
Keiron and Sean O’Loughlin
Keiron O’Loughlin made 260 appearances for Wigan from 1970 to 1979, scoring 93 tries.
He is the father of England and Great Britain international Sean O’Loughlin. Sean, 36, has played 444 games for Wigan since he made his debut for the Club in April 2002 and has gone on to win the World Club Challenge (2017), Super League (2010, 2013, 2016 & 2018), Challenge Cup (2011 & 2013) and League Leaders’ Shield (2010 & 2012).
MCCANN BACKS WARRIORS
22nd May 2019
Ahead of the Magic Weekend Wigan Warriors fan and UFC fighter Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann hopes Adrian Lam’s side can follow in her footsteps after revealing the time she played at Anfield as a footballer.
McCann became the first British woman to win in the MMA Octagon in March and is now looking to make it two consecutive UFC victories when she returns to action in Carolina in June.
Whilst being presented with a Cherry and White jersey, the 29-year-old ex-Everton footballer said: “It’s my first rugby shirt since I went to university. I love the fact that the club has put my name on the back, and I now feel like a proud member of Wigan Warriors.
CATALANS DRAGONS PREVIEW
18th May 2019
Everything you need to know for Saturday’s historic Betfred Super League meeting with Catalans Dragons at the Camp Nou, Barcelona.
The Brief
Wigan Warriors will be part of rugby league history on Saturday evening as they face Catalans Dragons at the iconic Camp Nou in Barcelona.
After becoming the first non-English club to win the Challenge Cup last August, Catalans were invited to host a Betfred Super League game at the famous arena in 2019.
EDUCATION ACADEMY AIM HIGH
29th April 2019
After their outstanding league success the Wigan Warriors Education Academy are seeking the double in 2019 as they prepare to play in the AOC National RFL Cup Final on Wednesday.
The Education Academy thrashed Priestley College 62-4 last Wednesday to claim the AOC North West Division 1 title. Having played 16 games across the season against fellow colleges, clubs and academies, the Warriors won 14 and lost just two in total.
This week, the Academy is set to face Furness Raiders College in the AOC National Cup Final at Featherstone Rovers’ stadium.
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE PREVIEW
17th February 2019
Everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s Betfred World Club Challenge between Wigan Warriors and Sydney Roosters at the DW Stadium.
The Brief
In the biggest game in Club Rugby League, Super League Champions Wigan Warriors face National Rugby League (NRL) Champions Sydney Roosters for the 2019 Betfred World Club Challenge.
It’s a clash of winners. It’s the Super League vs the NRL. It’s England against Australia.
'WARRIORS CAN UPSET ODDS' - OWEN FARRELL
15th February 2019
England Rugby Union international and Wigan Warriors fan Owen Farrell is backing his hometown club to upset the odds in the Betfred World Club Challenge match against Sydney Roosters.
Wigan-born Farrell revealed he will be cheering on the Cherry and Whites this Sunday, whilst in England camp for the Six Nations, as they prepare to face Wales next Saturday.
The former Wigan St. Patricks ARLFC junior is excited to see how Wigan play in their third game of 2019 under new Head Coach Adrian Lam.
A CATCH-UP WITH ELLERY HANLEY MBE
28th January 2019
provided solutions for past clients.
Wigan Hall of Famer Ellery Hanley MBE is excited to see the Warriors in 2019 as he says the ‘winning culture’ has continued since he played for the Club.
Hanley, 57, became a Wigan legend in his five years at the Club between 1985 and 1990, after making 202 appearances and scoring 189 tries.
And the record three-time Man of Steel believes the Warriors have sustained a successful mentality, similar to the team that defied the odds in the 1987 World Club Challenge 8-2 triumph against Manly.
DAVIES: KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
23rd October 2018
When Tom Davies crossed the whitewash in Wigan Warriors’ 2018 Grand Final win against Warrington earlier this month he unknowingly penned another chapter of the Davies family sporting history.
Rewind 84-years and Tom’s great grandfather, Gwynne Davies, was a try scorer in the 1934 Championship Final that saw Wigan secure their fourth League Championship by defeating a Salford side containing the legendary Gus at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington.
Player Blogs
As part of each season, I have written bi-weekly blogs on behalf of a couple of first team players. The website feature involves myself speaking to the players every two weeks about the latest news within the club. I would then write up each blog from the players' perspective.
In 2018, I worked with Great Britain international Oliver Gildart and in 2019 I worked with England international Joe Greenwood.
GILLY'S GOSSIP
10th October 2018
In his final blog of the year, Oliver Gildart reacts to his England call up, praises Shaun Wane and the fans and looks ahead to Saturday’s Grand Final.
Hello everyone, it’s Grand Final week!
I’m going to start with our 14-0 semi-final win against Castleford last Friday. I thought it was an outstanding effort. To play in a game like a semi-final and keep Castleford to nil was a massive effort.
JOE BLOGS
13th August 2019
Writing in his tenth blog of 2019, Joe Greenwood shares the details of his recover from a third concussion injury this year and the ‘nerves’ he felt when he came off the bench to make his return for Wigan Warriors in last Friday’s win over Hull KR.
Blog 10
Hello everyone!! How you all doing?
It’s been eight weeks since my last blog as I’ve been out with injury, but now I’m back and it’s great to be playing again!
Social Media
Working within the media team, I have access to all of the club's social media accounts and I am responsible for coming up with new ideas and creating content across the online channels every day.
Scroll down to see some examples of posts I have published on the club's Twitter and Instagram accounts.
THE BOLTON NEWS
(1 week - October 2019 - November 2019)
Whilst on a work placement at The Bolton News, I was based on the sports desk as a sports reporter for the online website and newspaper.
BOLTON METS MAN HOPES TO PLAY PART AT HOME-TOWN WORLD CUP
4th November 2019
AN INDUSTRIOUS Bolton volunteer is hoping he can be part of sporting history in two years’ time as the 2021 Rugby League World Cup arrives in his home town.
Stuart Cooke has been volunteering with Bolton Mets Rugby League Football Club, who play in the North West Men’s League Division Five, since 2011.
And after registering his interest in joining the volunteer team for RLWC2021, which will be held in England, the club chairman is now waiting to see if his application is successful.
THE LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH
(1 week - October 2019 - November 2019)
Whilst on a work placement at The Bolton News, I was also producing work for The Lancashire Telegraph, as both media organisations are part of Newsquest Media Group Ltd and I was working for Adam Lord, who is the Sports Regional Editor. I was based on the sports desk as a sports reporter and wrote articles for the online website and newspaper, as well as covering Burnley and Accrington Stanley press conferences.
ACCRINGTON BOSS KNOWS STRIKERS' TROUBLES ALL TOO WELL
28th October 2019
ACCRINGTON Stanley manager John Coleman has backed his attacking players and says he isn’t worried about his side’s recent form in front of goal.
Stanley have slipped down to 18th in the League One table having failed to score in their last two games which have both ended in defeat.
But ex-striker Coleman echoed his empathy towards his front line ahead of Tuesday night's Leasing.com Trophy group game against Liverpool Under-21s at the Wham Stadium.
JOHN COLEMAN HAS 'UNFINISHED BUSINESS' IN EFL TROPHY
29th October 2019
JOHN Coleman says he has “unfinished business” with the Football League Trophy after admitting he made a mistake that cost Accrington Stanley last season.
Stanley missed out on a quarter-final tie in January after shipping a 2-0 lead in the second half to lose 4-2 to Bury.
But with a spot in the round of 32 already confirmed with two wins from two in the Leasing.com Trophy this campaign, the Accrington chief is eyeing up the prospect of the possibility of walking out at Wembley.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BURNLEY'S TRIP TO SHEFFIELD UNITED
31st October 2019
Burnley will look to get back to winning ways at Sheffield United on Saturday.
Below we take a look at the main talking points...
Makings of a tight and tactical encounter
Led by two of English football’s longest serving managers, Burnley and Sheffield United will go head-to-head on Saturday.
BURNLEY MIDFIELDER JEFF HENDRICK ON HIS CONTRACT SITUATION
1st November 2019
BURNLEY midfielder Jeff Hendrick says talks are “definitely active” with the club over a new contract with his currently deal running out at the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international moved to Turf Moor in 2016 for a then club-record £10million fee and has since gone on to make more than 100 appearances for the Clarets.
SEAN DYCHE REVEALS MUTUAL RESPECT FOR CHRIS WILDER
1st November 2019
SEAN Dyche has revealed his close relationship with Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder as the British bosses prepare to meet on Saturday.
The Clarets chief, who faced Wilder during his playing days, has spoken of his admiration after getting to know the former Northampton and Oxford United manager on a personal level over recent years.
And this weekend two of English football’s longest serving managers will lock horns for the first time in the dug-out as Burnley travel to Bramall Lane.
RUGBY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
(November 2017 - September 2018)
Whilst at the RFL I was a media volunteer, where I wrote previews and reported on results on the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) and National Conference League (NCL) – all for the online website.
MEET THE REMARKABLE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL WOMEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM
25th November 2017
The University of Liverpool Women's Rugby League team is currently the UK's only female University Rugby League team and is the only University team to play outside of a regular University League.
Founded in 2006, they were formally recognised by the University itself in 2007.
The team was started by a group of less than ten girls who were passionate about playing Rugby League.
SCINTILLATING SALFORD STROLL PAST MANCHESTER IN STRONG 16-36 WIN
1st December 2017
The University of Salford took the bragging rights in the local derby against Manchester University on Wednesday afternoon at the Armitage Centre.
Salford ran out 16-36 winners with a hattrick from Conor Mulcahy, a brace from Dan Munt and a solo effort by skipper Joe Woolley.
Manchester's three tries came through Charlie Wilson, Ollie Cotterell and Adam Heal but the visitors proved too solid for their opponents.
NCL PREVIEW | LIVE TV DEBUT THIS WEEKEND...
8th March 2018
The 2018 National Conference League season is underway and - after the weather delayed kick off last weekend - it's the first round of matches in the Premier Division on Saturday....
Premier Division | Rochdale Mayfield v Egremont Rangers
SATURDAY, MARCH 10
5PM
MAYFIELD SPORTS CENTRE, ROCHDALE
LIVE ON FREESPORTS FROM 4.45PM
Broadcast live on Freesports, Egremont will make the 124-mile trip to Rochdale for a 5pm kick off at the Mayfield Sports Centre.
SALFORD NOW
(October 2018 - December 2019)
Salford Now is the University of Salford's in-house news organisation and as part of BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism), myself and my fellow colleagues were tasked to find stories, gather content and publish it on different platforms – including Salford Now's online website.
'I’M TRYING TO BRING IT BACK TO LIFE.' SALFORD PENSIONER ATTENDS DIGITAL DROP-IN TO SAVE HIS NOVEL
21st October 2019
A Salford author is using computer drop-in sessions to retrieve the final quarter of a novel he wrote on a floppy disk 30 years ago.
After emigrating to South Africa in the 1980s, Gordon Wilson wrote a story about a man who tried to use financial secrets to swindle the stock market for his own financial benefit.
And now a regular at the Langworthy Cornerstone Centre in Salford, ex-Royal Marine Commando Mr Wilson attends digital workshops to practice his online skills.
‘AFTER THE ATTACK I WAS AFRAID TO GO OUT’- THE HERO LEARNING TO FIGHT BACK
12th December 2019
A have-a-go hero from Swinton who was seriously injured when he tried to tackle a gang of yobs is now attending martial arts classes with his whole family to help rebuild their lives.
In April 2017, father-of-two, Mark Weatherburn, 30, was attacked and suffered a broken nose and eye socket after chasing three men who tried to set fire to his outside bin.
Now, Mark, his wife, their children and his dad, take part in family classes at Swinton’s Martial Arts Centre to learn self-defence if a similar situation occurred again.