Richard plays dream role in Euro 2004

By UKJournalism

Broadcast Journalism graduate Richard Connelly spent the summer of his life in Portugal reporting on England in Euro 2004.

As part of a BBC English Regions reporting team, the former UCLan student spent his time reporting from each England game and doing two-ways from the England team hotel to give local radio stations a unique take on the tournament.

And considering his first ever bulletin shift for BBC Radio Lancashire was during the European Championships four years ago, Richard has certainly landed on his feet.

Strange

"I've been a sports reporter at BBC Radio Lancashire since June 2000," he said. "My first bulletin shift was the day England were knocked out of Euro 2000, so it was strange to think that in four years I'd convinced someone I should be out there myself."

"It was all down to an initiative by BBC English Regions to get designated Local Radio reporters at big sporting events. I was lucky enough to get an attachment to the Cricket World Cup in South Africa and did well enough to be considered again for Euro 2004.

"It was a fabulous experience, and when England were knocked out, I stayed behind and lapped up another ten days of sun!  It was still very busy though."

Richard landed his job at BBC Radio Lancashire straight after graduating from the Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism course in 2000, and he has never looked back.

Sports nut

"Radio Lancs has been a great place to work for a sports nut like me, with so much sporting heritage close-by, but I'm hoping to move on soon," he said.

"My great passion has always been for sports commentary though, which is an extremely competitive field. Hopefully, the experience I've gained in Portugal will help."

And heís not the only UCLan graduate to be working in local radio - former students Phil Cunliffe and Gary Flintoff are part of the sports team at Radio Lancashire, and Ranvir Singh, Neil Cartmell and Liz Barnes all worked with Richard during Euro 2004.

Pals
 
"Quite a few of my pals from the course are working in local radio," he said. "I ended up doing two-ways with three of them from Portugal, which we all thought was pretty funny.

"From wrecking the studios at UCLan to representing the BBC across the North West - sometimes it's hard to believe they're letting us get away with it!"

Richard dedicates his career success to the course at UCLan: "The course in Preston was brilliant for me," he said. "I had no practical experience of journalism whatsoever when I started and was really worried that would count against me. 

"But the course leader, Mike Green, believed in me from the beginning and I didn't have a problem fitting in at all. It was just a fantastic nine months - exciting and rewarding throughout."

More info:
Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism >

Related stories from UKJournalism:
Student reporters to tackle soccer scourge >
Radio graduate turns guest lecturer >

See also:
BBC Radio Lancashire website >

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