In a first for UCFB, four media students have had their match reports published in the same edition of the national magazine, the Non-League Paper.
As the end of the 2022-23 football season approaches, so does the final of cup competitions, such as the National League Alliance Academy Cup and the National League U19 Alliance League Cup.
As part of the partnership between UCFB and the National League U19 Alliance, First Year BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism students are offered the ‘National League Report.’
This includes our students providing the match reports that go onto the website and social media channels.
Within this, four students wrote the match reports for the two semi-final matches of both competitions.
Lecturer Bob Ballard said: “With the help of team leader Dave King, we have built on The National League Report massively over the past four years, and it has become a key part of our ongoing sponsorship deal with the National League U19 Alliance.
“One thing that has been particularly beneficial is our agreement with the Non-League Paper.”
Matthew Badcock, the editor at large of the paper, was able to include their reports on such a busy weekend for the paper, with FA Vase and Trophy considerations.
Bob Ballard continued: “The publication, which is seen by up to a quarter of a million people in print and online, uses two of our students’ reports every week and gives them a chance to get a national profile. It is also key to their portfolios going forward.
“The plan, as we move forward, is to provide more features for the Non-League Paper and further expand our relationship with them.
“Already some of our students, who have moved beyond the first year, are providing reports on senior games for the paper and that has helped greatly towards their dissertations and coursework.
“Overall, the great thing about the National League Report is how much it has improved the quality of writing of our students.
“Many are producing work of a very high standard and that has led to several being given work placements at lower league clubs.”
To find out more about UCFB’s partnership with the National League, click here.
