Category: Uncategorized

Name: Rhys Abbruzzese

Age: 21

Nationality: Welsh

Team: Barry Town United

Position: Left Back

Best sporting achievement? Playing football for Wales at under 21 level has got to be my best achievement. I represented my country a few times. My under 21 caps also include the times I represented Wales in under 21 European Championships. Scoring for my country is also up there as my best and biggest achievements.

Why your sport? Football is the best sport in the world. The fans and entertainment aspect is what makes it great. I started playing football at a young age and quickly realised my talent. I played football for local teams before joining Cardiff City academy when I was 8.

Who inspired you to get into sport and why? My father inspired me to get into sport. He also played football. He is my inspiration and is someone I look up to daily.

Outside of the sport you play, who are your heroes and why? My parents and family. I highly look up to them. They are the most important people in my life and are key to my success as a semi-professional footballer. They have been a huge support during my career so far.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given? I’ve received a lot of good advice over the years. However, the advice that has stuck with me throughout my career is to always do your best and never give up.

What do you love most about playing sport? I like the level of competition and being part of a team. I love winning. Success is what inspires me. The fans play a big part in my love for football too.

What would you play if you couldn’t play your sport?  I’m a massive sports fan and would play any other competitive sport. Team or individual.

What impact has playing for Barry and Wales had on you? Playing football competitively has helped with my discipline and maturity. My social skills and sportsmanship have also improved due to playing with a team.

What I have learned from my first term as a student sports journalist.

My first term as a student sports journalist has been a big learning curve. Not only have I learnt things about the industry but also about myself. I hope these will carry me through the rest of the year but also across the three-year course and life itself. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at university so far and have also overcome personal challenges.

Before starting the course, I only had a rough idea on what would be in store. Despite the obvious such as reporting and photography, I didn’t expect to learn so much about the industry itself. Law and ethics stands out as a module that didn’t even cross my mind at the beginning of term. Now looking back, it seems like such an obvious thing to learn about.

I would say as an addition to practical work, the law and ethics module is where I have learnt the most. There are so many things you can and can’t do as a journalist, which blew my mind whilst learning. As a journalist you must think differently to as you would in your day to day life. This was a real eyeopener for me. During my time learning about the law and ethical side of journalism I have learnt a lot about myself. In some cases, my morals overpower, and I don’t think like a journalist. There are things that a journalist can and would do that I would never consider doing. During my time at university I hope to develop the skill of thinking like a journalist.

Looking at the practical side of the course I have learnt so much. From the photography, to reporting, to podcasting. Despite having an A level in photography, stepping into the photography lecture was like a whole new world for me. Sports photography is very difficult. However, I have learnt so much regarding the technical side. I now know about the aperture, shutter speed and the depth of field.

On this course I am essentially learning on the job. We are fortunate to have several opportunities to practice what we learn in lectures. This will be a big factor to my success as a sports journalist. Every week I have the opportunity to report on BUCS games at the USW Sports Park. Not only does this develop my writing skills but also helps my confidence. I have learnt that I can write match reports despite thinking I wouldn’t be able to. Seeing my work be published on Expo has helped significantly with my confidence.

The same could be said when considering podcasts. I knew this element would be the most challenging for me. I knew confidence would be my biggest enemy during university. The thought of being on the radio or on a podcast terrified me. To my surprise, making a podcast was one of my favourite things this term. I hope to continue creating podcasts. Next term I hope to continue to learn more skills and enhance on what I have learnt in this first term. I am determined to take up more opportunities to develop my reporting skills by going to matches outside of the BUCS games.