Two University of Worcester graduates have won prestigious awards at an event celebrating the top journalists in the region.
21-year-old Aiden Holland, from Dudley, who studied Journalism and History, won Student Television Journalist of the Year at the Midlands Media Awards, organised by Birmingham Press Club. Meanwhile Matthew Tennant, who studied Digital Media Production and Journalism, won Student Sports Journalist of the Year.
Aiden won for his documentary on grassroots music venue closures, which was also selected out of all student awards entries for the Student President’s Award.
“It has been really nice to put in so much work self-funded and for it to be recognised as something good,” he said. “I’m really proud that all that effort I put in came to fruition.”
Aiden’s final year project, an 18-minute documentary, took eight months from concept to completion. He devised, filmed and produced the piece, travelling across the UK from Liverpool and London to Wales.
“The rise in rents and costs are threatening these venues and I thought it was really important to talk about,” said Aiden. “Especially because it hasn’t been mentioned much in the mainstream media.”
He added: “I wanted to create something I’m really passionate about. To do that I wanted to cover all angles.”
Aiden said his time at the University of Worcester had helped him to grow as a journalist.
“The course definitely helped with developing the necessary skills, but also the lecturers are so understanding and supportive,” he said. “On the first day of the course I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it, I was really shy, but by the third year I’d grown out of my shell and grown in confidence massively.”
Aiden added: “This helped me do this documentary. I definitely couldn’t have done it without those skills and the lecturers helping to build my confidence.”
Matthew’s documentary, also produced for his final year project, looked at Worcester Warriors’ impact on the local community and the relationship between the Club and its fans.
“It was a huge honour to have my hard work recognised by some of the most influential names in the region,” said the 21-year-old, who is now working as an Events and Digital Support Assistant for West Midlands Fire Service.
Matthew worked with local businesses, supporters’ groups, fans and charities for his piece. “I chose to explore a different angle,” he said. “I wanted to speak to the real, local people who followed the club through thick and thin.
“He added: “I’m so proud to have been able to share these people’s stories and I’m thrilled that they have had the opportunity to reach an even broader audience to emphasise why rugby and sport as a whole is so important to local communities up and down the country.”