Sports Journalism students react to being given exclusive access to international rugby league match

First and second year students from the BA (Hons) Sports Journalism course at Leeds Beckett have been expressing their excitement about being the only recognised media for a Women’s Rugby League World Cup warm-up match. 

The students were given exclusive access for the match between England Knights and the Cook Islands. They were able to interview players throughout the game and also attended a press conference afterwards, gathering footage as part of their studies. 

First year student Arthur Difford said “I am in disbelief at how quickly things have moved since I started at Leeds Beckett. I did not expect to be the only journalists here at an England versus Cook Islands fixture, just six weeks into my course. 

The match was England Knights’ first ever competitive fixture and gave the Cook Islands an opportunity to warm-up ahead of the World Cup, which began a few days later. Members of the full England Women’s Rugby League team were also there on the day and spoke to students throughout the game. 

Ted Bromwich, also a first-year student, said: “It’s a bit surreal actually interviewing professional players. You see those interviews on TV and never think you’ll be doing it yourself, so it’s great.”

The Women’s Rugby League World Cup sees eight teams compete over three weeks, with a number of matches being played at Headingley Stadium. First-year student Nico Blakemore said “It was fascinating interviewing one of the Cook Islands’ players whose father was also a rugby player. She’s hoping that the World Cup will get her name out there to play in the future, so it was amazing to get some answers out of her.”