Last season, two final year Radio students from the University of South Wales became part of the media team at Cardiff City Ladies.
Kieran Lacey and Chris Gadsby are both football fans and answered a plea from Karen Jones, CCL club secretary, for help with all aspects of marketing as well as providing match reports.
The roles turned into something more substantial for both students, and as well as running the social media accounts for the side, providing match reports and stadium announcements, they also filmed the matches and provided live commentary.
They have also built the side a new website. Their work was such a big hit that they were invited to attend the club’s end of season awards ceremony, where they received an award.
Newark-born Chris Gadsby said: “It fills me with pride to look back on what we have achieved with the club over the past year and to have that recognised by the club with an award was a great honour.
“I hope that we can continue to build on what we have put in place and keep moving forward. We’ve made some good friends in the players and coaches and the entire season has been incredibly enjoyable.”
For Kieran Lacey from Oxford, the experience helped him overcome anxiety and develop his confidence: “Not only were they all passionate about the sport and the club, they trusted me from the off to help boost the media side of the club, which was a great feeling.
“What started out as match reports and announcing, turned into something bigger with the commentary, the highlights reels and especially the launch of the new website. Being able to be an integral part of that was a huge confidence boost for me.
“And having the work with Cardiff City Ladies on my CV helped get me an interview with the BBC. Over the course of the season I fell in love with the club and now feel like I am part of the family.
“Joining with them was one of the best decisions I made during my time at university.”
Karen Jones is keen to continue the relationship with University of South Wales students and hopes to work with the new Sports Journalism course from September.
“The lads have been terrific during the season, they are lovely friendly boys who have bought into everything that our club stands for,” she said.
“They have been totally professional and I can’t fault anything about them. They truly are lovely hard working guys and a credit to your university and what you are expecting from your students.”
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