All young people new to the scheme go on a training course which gives them the essential skills. My training lasted for four days, where I learnt the basic audio skills editing skills, along with other journalistic skills such as interview techniques, the best way to meet people and introduce yourself, what questions to ask and then how to phrase them.
I then went out to the BBC to find out about different roles in the media and meet real life media personalities at work. At the BBC we got to speak to the presenters of the regional news programme, North West Tonight, along with the behind the scenes staff while we were watching the programme go out live.
All the programmes we create are online for the World to see on Radiowaves, a website that we publish all our videos and radio programmes on, where we have a large following of fans and sports enthusiast that keep up to date with S2R’s world of sport!
After the training week, I was set to report on a Manchester United match, where I was creating packages about the media. This was the first of many. At that moment in time I never thought that I would get to interview some of the greats that I have.
I have interviewed Olympic medallists like Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Newton, Paul Manning, Leon Taylor, Steve Parry, Jonathon Edwards; Paralympians Ellie Simmonds and Oscar Pistorious, and hundreds of equally inspiration people in the world of sport.
The whole project has helped me gain media experience which will put me at a huge advantage when I choose to start on the career ladder. Before starting the project I was considering doing a job in the media, but I was unsure of how to get started and what career roles there are available. So through the project I now know about the different jobs, and it has really made me sure that I want to have a career in Media.
As part of the project I have been involved in mentoring new S2R students, so I was passing on my experience and helping to assist the new students during the training process.
The project has now become national, as we have young people involved in London, Northampton and Staffordshire, along with the starting project in Manchester. One of the aims of the S2R project is to get young people to report on the Olympics in 2012.
In April of this year we were delighted to be welcomed into the Inspire Programme, which recognises projects of exceptional quality with a direct connection to the Games.
Something else to come of being part of the Inspire Programme are the links we have developed between the North West of England and Oceania. There is an agreement that the athletes from Oceania come over to England to train in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2014 Commonwealth Games. I have attended the Australian national swim team training in Manchester, which was great as we started off the link so that we can go and report on the training whenever they come over to Manchester.
We are currently developing the links even further as I write this from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, where I am currently reporting on the Mini Pacific Games where countries from the South Pacific islands are competing in 15 different sports.
It is the first time I have been reporting outside of the country, and it is also the first time I have ever been to the southern hemisphere!
After a three day journey, we arrived what can only be described as heaven. Along with the amazing scenery, the people here are really friendly and always willing to talk to us. It can be slightly difficult at times talking to people as some are not good English speakers, which is particularly difficult when trying to interview them however we are overcoming these obstacles as the Games go on, and it is all an amazing experience!!
We have recruited a couple of young people from the island who are interested in media so are getting an extra special insight into the Cook Islands and spread S2R further afield.
While here I am planning on doing a series of short programmes called 'Do it with Dan!' where I am going to be trying out the sports here at the Games. I have an appointment with the Netball team tomorrow, and we have set up links with the Rugby teams. I have to say I am not particularly looking forward to the rugby!
Two weeks after I get back from the Cook Islands I am flying out to Canada to capture the build up to the Winter Olympics across the country.
I would have never thought that I would be flying across the world when I first started the project! We are exploring possibilities of developing more links with countries here in Oceania, and seeing at what it would be like to set up S2R Australia!! You never know, there might be a job waiting out here in Oceania when I leave school!
And you never know, in the future you could see us at the Singapore Youth Games, the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the decision in Copenhagen in a few days will be one we are very interested to hear to shape the future of S2R.
You can see all my videos at www.radiowaves.co.uk/thebeast
