As someone who’s Tottenham daft and edits a club news website The Spurs Express, when UCFB student Sammy Parker was offered the opportunity to work in the media team for the club’s women’s side it was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
A BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism student at UCFB Wembley, we spoke with Sammy to find out more about the role at the Women’s Super League side…
How did the opportunity to work in the media team at Tottenham Hotspur Women come about?
I was contacted by someone from the Spurs Women’s media team via LinkedIn, and was asked if I would be interested in applying for a role that would see me help with their media set-up this season. I had to have an interview and a trial day before being selected for the role.
What do you hope to bring to the role from what you’ve learnt at UCFB so far?
I think the skills needed to write efficiently and my broadcasting skills too. The broadcasting side probably more so, as prior to coming to UCFB I wouldn’t have had a clue how to interview somebody properly or have the confidence to be on camera.
Similarly, what do you hope to achieve and learn further while working for the club?
I think I’m most excited about learning how it works behind the scenes. In the two games I’ve attended I’ve already learnt so much, as well as new skills. Media from the club’s point of view and a journalist’s is completely different, so it’s great to see how it works from the other side.
What other work experience opportunities have you completed or taken part in while at UCFB?
I’m currently the editor for a website called The Spurs Express. I have had this role since March and now have six people working underneath me. I have also had some work experience with The Mirror, which was great to see how the set-up is from a journalism side of things.
How important have you found them for your development?
Both of these have helped improve my writing immensely, but there’s so many other skills it helps, especially on the editing side. I get to learn new techniques from the writers and it’s great to further improve my communication as I am constantly in contact with them, trying to help where I can.
How much of a lift to Spurs and the WSL it will be to have Alex Morgan playing for the club?
I think Alex Morgan is huge signing for both Spurs and the WSL. She will bring a lot of attention to women’s football here in England, and Alex is also going to raise the profile of Tottenham Hotspur Women too. Considering this is only the club’s second season in the WSL, it’s massive. But as well as a commercial singing, she is a cracking striker too and could help Spurs reach the next level.
You’re now going into your third and final year at UCFB. How has your time been here so far?
My time at UCFB has been great. There have been amazing opportunities and I think had I not been here there’s no way I would be doing what I currently am. I've had chances to work with the QPR U23 side and interview the likes of Les Ferdinand and Paul Hall for an assignment which was great.
What advice can you pass on to any potential students looking at coming to UCFB to study on the media pathway?
I think you need to work hard because it’s really competitive. I know that there were 15 other students going for my role at Tottenham Hotspur Women and that’s not even paid! If you want to get chances then you need to be willing to do voluntary work. When you get an opportunity then the hard work is worth it.
