Behind the Microphone

ITV and talkSPORT commentator Sam Matterface joins the podcast this week to discuss his career journey so far and to share some brilliant tips for aspiring sports broadcasters. Sam details his journey from hospital radio, through to presenting at Sky Sports News, to then working for ITV and talkSPORT commentating. In this episode Sam also discusses the changing landscape for young aspiring sports broadcasters attempting to get into the industry now, giving his wisdom and advice on how to succeed in the early years. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 4:00 - Sam’s initial break into broadcasting. 4:00 - 9:00 - Local radio beginnings. 9:00 -  12:30 - Lessons learnt and experience gained at 107.4 The Quay.  12:30 - 14:30 - Opportunity through commercial radio routes now or lack of…  14:30 - 17:00 - The new and different ways to break through and gain experience… 17:00 -  20:30 - Sky Sports News experience. 20:30 - 22:45 - What Sam is currently doing now, commentating and presenting on TV and Radio and whether he thought he would be where he is today. 22:45 - 25:00 - Sam’s top tips for all aspiring sports broadcasters.

Sports broadcasting legend Mark Chapman joins the podcast this week. Starting his career as a continuity announcer for the BBC Mark now  presents across both radio and TV, fronting Match of the Day 2 and presenting shows like the Monday Night Club on the radio. In this episode Chappers discusses his sports broadcasting career so far,  sharing plenty of extremely helpful tips for aspiring sports broadcasters. As well as really delving in to the skills needed to becoming a top sports presenter. Time codes:- 1:00 - 6:20 - Beginnings and initial break with the BBC. 6:20 - 8:20 - Local radio route.  8:20 - 10:30 - Mark’s advice for aspiring sports broadcasters looking for their first break/ job. 10:30 - 15:30 - Mark’s move to Radio 1 and lessons learnt there. 15:30 - 17:00 Not saying no to opportunities when they arise. 17:00 - 22:00 - Presenting across different sports and formats. 22:00 - 28:00 - Getting the best out of pundits and guests and the art of listening. 28:00 - 30:20 Top tips for aspiring sports broadcasters.

The brilliant Kelly Cates joins the podcast this week, Kelly is one of the very best sports broadcasters around and has worked for all of the big broadcasters including Sky Sports, Premier League Productions, talkSPORT, the BBC, and more… In this episode Kelly shares loads of tips and tricks to becoming a successful sports presenter as well as sharing her the journey of her amazing career so far. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 4:20 - Initial break into the industry via a brand new Sky Sports News. 4:20 - 8:00 - Taking every opportunity that comes your way/importance of timing. 8:40 - 10:20 - Importance of saying YES/ taking risks! 10:20 - 13:25 - Kelly’s relaxed style and how this came about… 13:25 - 16:30 - Preparation and preparing for new challenges/ new sports. 16:30 - 20:20 - Adapting styles across different shows. 20:20 - 23:50 - Importance of reacting to guests and LISTENING! 23:50 - 26:00 - Using body language to aid live debates. 26:00 - 31:00 - Advice for aspiring sports broadcasters.

This week Ian Irving joins the podcast, Ian is a presenter and reporter for Premier League Productions and the host of the Athletics ‘Talk of the Devils’ podcast. In this episode Ian shares his story on how he got to where he is today and gives some really great advice on how any aspiring sports broadcaster can move forward in their career. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 2:30 - Ian’s ambitions growing up. 2:30 - 10:30 - Initial break into the industry and experience at Channel M. 10:30 - 15:00 - Developing and improving as a broadcaster. 15:00 - 18:00 - Dealing with criticism and using it to help you improve. 18:00 - 19:40 - Developing skills needed to be a successful sports broadcaster. 19:40 - 23:30 - How to be a successful podcast host. 23:30 - 26:30 - Interview skills.

Presenter and reporter Olivia Buzaglo joins the podcast this week. Liv shares her journey from logging at Premier League Productions to presenting twice a day for Sky Sports News during the January transfer window. There are some great bits of advice from Liv throughout this episode, especially around using your initiative and being yourself. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 3:15 - Dreams growing up. 3:15 - 4:30 - New experience at SSN. 4:30 - 7:25 - Breaking into the industry. 7:25 - 14:00 - Progression at Premier League Productions. 14:00 - 19:00 - Advice to aspiring sports broadcasters. 19:00 - 21:30 - Going freelance. 21:30 - 24:10 - Adapting to new styles of presenting. 24:10 - 30:00 - Liv’s love for Chelsea and how this relates to her work.

Sports Presenter and reporter Kelly Somers joins the podcast this week. Kelly shares the journey of her amazing career so far, starting out as a media assistant at a League One Bournemouth side, all the way through to where she is today, having recently covered the 2022 World Cup as the BBC’s England team reporter. In this episode Kelly talks about the importance of taking opportunities and saying yes, working hard and learning from your mistakes. Timecodes 1:00 - 5:00 - First career steps 5:00 - 12:20 - Media assistant at Bournemouth, moving from League 1 to the Premier League and gaining a varied and well-rounded experience. 12:20 - 15:20 - Move to PLP 15:20 - 18:15 - Taking opportunities, saying yes, and hard work ! 18:15 - 22:00 - Making mistakes and learning from them. 23:00 - 28:00 The process of interviews, preparation, research and getting the best out of interviewees. 28:00 - 30:00 - Advice for sports broadcasters, believing in yourself !

Series 3 Episode 1 kicks off with former Premier League and Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Mark has over 500 Premier League appearances, the most by a player outside the UK & Ireland and has the 3rd most Premier League clean sheets of all time. In this episode Mark discusses all things sports media, from his perception and how he dealt with the media as a player, to his transition to working in the sports media. A fascinating insight into what it is like for a professional footballer to move into sports broadcasting. Composer - Graham Slack. Timecodes:- 1:00 - 4:50 - Mark’s perception and understanding of the media as a player. 4:50 - 9:20 - Thoughts about life after football 9:20 - 11:00 - Moving into the sports media as Mark’s footballing career was coming to an end. 11:00 - 14:10 - Biggest challenges Mark has faced moving into the sports media. 14:10 - 21:30 - Conducting post-match interviews and how being an ex-player can effect conducting post-match interviews. 21:30 - 25:30 - Sides of the media Mark has found more easy and difficult, including press conference experiences. 25:30 - 26:45 - Mark’s mindset when going into interviews and the understanding he has of the pressures of the media having played the game. 26:45 - Mark Schwarzer Quiz

BT Sport's lead football commentator Darren Fletcher joins Hamish for this week's podcast episode. Darren talks through his career from working on suspended ceilings after school in Sheffield to commentating on five successive Champions League Finals. He talks through all thing’s commentary, from the preparation for each match, to performing during the big moments. A journey of hard work and perseverance, with great stories along the way. With credit to BT Sport. Time Codes:- - 1:18-6:50- Darren's career aspirations from an early age and his beginnings in sports broadcasting. - 6:50-13:25- Darren's early experiences with Brian Clough and Trent FM. - 13:25-18:40- Moving to BBC Radio 5 Live, why that was and whether this is the natural progression for commentators and broadcasters. - 18:40-20:45- Darren's experience presenting for BT Sport. - 20:45-23:25- Specialising in a particular field, do aspiring sports broadcasting need to specialise in reporting or commentating, etc or become well-rounded? - 23:25-26:40- How to be the very best commentator. - 26:40-28:45- How to prepare for unexpected moments in commentary (Lucas Moura vs Ajax, Liverpool vs Barcelona). - 28:45-31:20- Advice for aspiring sports broadcasters. - 31:20-35:00- Darren Fletcher Quiz.

The 2019 SJA Sports commentator of the year and BBC Radio 5 Live’s main commentator for both boxing and athletics joins Hamish this week. In this episode Mike details his career progression from starting at the BBC aged 16 to becoming the voice of their boxing and athletics coverage. He also speaks of his experience amateur boxing and how that has helped his commentary of the sport, as well as why the 100 metres is one of the most difficult sporting events to commentate on and why a post-match interview with a losing boxer can be so powerful. With credit to BBC Radio 5 Live. Mixed and Sound Designed by Rocket Ears and Graham Slack. Time Codes:- - 1:35-3:25- Mike's early years. - 3:25-12:05- Mike's frustrations, his initial break and being ready when the opportunity strikes. - 12:05-18:00- How Mike's experience amateur boxing helped his commentary of the sport. - 18:00-21:40- Why the 100 Metres is one of the most difficult sporting events to commentate on. - 21:40-25:00- Mike's aims as a commentator. - 25:00-28:30- Why interviewing a losing boxer can often be the most powerful interview in sport. - 28:30-31:20- Mike's advice for aspiring sports broadcasters. - 31:20-33:00- Mike Costello Quiz.

Presenter & Reporter Alex Aljoe joins Hamish this week on the podcast. Alex currently works for Premier League Productions but previously worked for Real Madrid TV, on two separate occasions, and Chelsea TV. As well as being a talented reporter and presenter, Alex speaks five languages fluently and is an ex-international Lacrosse player for England. In this episode Alex discusses her career journey so far and how and why being multi-lingual has helped her career. Mixed and Sound Designed by Rocket Ears and Graham Slack. Follow Alex on Twitter and Instagram- @alexaljoe Time Codes:- - 1:00-10:00- Alex's start, her year abroad and first break at Real Madrid TV at just 20 years of age including her first interview with a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. - 10:00-12:30- How getting chucked into the deep end early on eventually benefitted Alex's career. - 12:30-14:15- The things Alex did at Durham University to enhance her broadcasting skills. - 14:15-18:10- Alex's decision to do an MA in TV Journalism despite having that hands on experience reporting and presenting for Real Madrid TV. - 18:10-25:15- Alex's experience working for Chelsea TV and then going back out to Real Madrid TV. - 25:15-29:15- How being multi-lingual has helped Alex in her career, how it allows her to interview players like Sergio Agüero, who others can't, and how it allows her to get more from interviewing foreign players. - 29:15-31:30- The differences behind the scenes between English and Spanish productions. - 31:30-36:20- Tips for aspiring sports broadcasters. - 36:20-39:00- The Alex Aljoe Quiz!