This summer UCFB BA (Hons) Football Business & Media student Alice Kelk secured the incredible opportunity to work alongside the BBC team responsible for covering the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Eager to expand her work experience portfolio after coaching in the US last summer with Challenger Sports, Alice grasped the unparalleled opportunity presented by UCFB to work at the globally renowned broadcaster, rubbing shoulders with leading figures from the world of football and media.

With the Women’s World Cup being televised live on the BBC, Alice gained experience shadowing presenters and producers at the Input Media Studios in London for the live fixture between top seeds Germany and the impressive Norwegian outfit on 11th June. Arriving five hours before kick-off, Alice was given a tour around the state-of-the-art studio to meet with sound and visual engineers, the graphics team, producers and world-renowned presenters in order to gain a holistic understanding of the responsibilities and contributions of each member of the broadcasting team for a live televised sporting event.

Budding media professional Alice was also able to sit in on the production meeting, which provided her with an insight into the scripted rehearsals that the broadcasting team must go through prior to a game. She was also given the opportunity to ask questions to the producer, Frank Callaghan, and the BBC’s FIFA Women’s World Cup host and UCFB guest speaker, Jacqui Oatley. Both Frank and Jacqui gave detailed accounts of their career journeys as well as tailored advice for Alice around her own career aspirations.

Reflecting on the unprecedented opportunity that she secured through UCFB, second year UCFB Burnley student Alice commented:

“Being a girl that has loved and lived football all of my life and now having had the chance to be part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup really is a dream come true. I absolutely loved every second of my time at the BBC and I am grateful to Rachel Brown-Finnis for helping me secure this special opportunity, as well as Input Media who were also exceptionally helpful in enhancing my journey at UCFB.”

When coupled with her unique degree, this unrivalled placement experience will enable Alice to build an impressive CV in order to place herself in the best possible position to lead a successful career in sports media and broadcasting upon graduation.