CV

Thomas Rooney

Address – Avaliable upon Request.

Website – www.thomasrooney.co.uk

Email – info@thomasrooney.co.uk

Mobile – 07502 384587

Date of Birth – 30th July 1986

Profile

A driven journalist with a huge passion for sport, trained to a degree level. Provided content for a number of sports betting clients, commentated on Premier League football and covered cricket matches for local press. Other experience includes interviewing, content management and leading a team. All accompanied by a fantastic attitude to succeed.

Core Skills

Journalism

  • Feature and news writing
  • Interviewing
  • Subbing  content
  • Accurate text commentary
  • Filming and Presenting
 IT skills

  • MS Word
  • MS Excel
  • CMS
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Premiere
 General

  • Ambitious
  • Hard working
  • Reliable
  • Determined
  • Creative

Career History

Sports Journalist | April 2007 – Present

Since April 2007, which was towards the end of my second year studying Sports Journalism, I have worked for a number of clients as a Sports Journalist. Below are some of the roles I have undertaken.

Footymad | Football Commentator |April 2007 – Present

  • Provide minute by minute online text commentary for Premier League and World Cup football games.
  • Update the CMS every two minutes to keep readers informed and entertained.
  • Write and send SMS messages to alert subscribers of any significant incident.
  • Write engaging match reports for the game.

Betfair | Online Sports Writer | April 2008 – Present

  • Write a variety of compelling sport content for sites across the web ensuring it is topical and accurate.
  • Manage a team of sport writers by suggesting topics, assigning feature articles and ensuring punctuality.
  • Proofread, edit and publish content.
  • Use CMS on a daily basis to submit match reports, articles and SMS football news updates.
  • Work closely with Betfair UK, Betfair Canada, Betfair Ireland and Betfair Germany.

Ladbrokes | Content Manager | January 2010 – Present

  • Manage a team of sport and poker writers.
  • Proofread, edit and publish content.
  • Insert images into articles using Adobe Photoshop.
  • Insert Ladbrokes links into content.

Online Media Relations | Online PR Sports Executive | April 2009 – Present

  • Manage several SEO link building projects – e.g. ‘World Cup 2010’.
  • Increase web traffic to clients including Betfair and Ladbrokes.
  • Work closely with a number of sport website owners.

Eastern Daily Press | Freelance Reporter | May 2010 – Present

  • Introduce myself to the scorer / captains prior to the fixture being covered to arrange interviews.
  • Attend local cricket matches and make regular notes on the action.
  • Interview winning captain and man of the match.
  • Provide 500 word match report for publication in the sports section of the EDP.
  • Use my knowledge and interest in Norfolk sport.

Samples of Published Work | April 2008 – Present

  • Why Holt will be a firm fan favourite – http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/C13115
  • Perry provides Bucks’ Fizz (EDP) – http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/E13116
  • Retirements highlight poor communication – http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/J8761
  • Fraser uncertain on Finn future – http://www.tinyurls.co.uk/W13117

Other Work Experience

Independent Content Services | Trainee Sports Journalist | January – February 2007

  • Worked as part of a busy sports desk.
  • Wrote sport related articles on a daily basis.
  • Recorded an audio daily sport news bulletin on selected football clubs (including Norwich City).
  • Recorded and edited interviews using Adobe Premiere with sport pundits including Chris Kamara.

Vital Norwich | Editor | February 2007 – May 2007

  • Managed the Vital Norwich website.
  • Wrote daily Norwich City content.
  • Proofread, edited and published content.
  • Interviewed fans and created opinion polls.
  • Introduced new features, including ‘The Oppositions View’.

Education

Leeds University, West Yorkshire | 2005 – 2008 – BA (Hons) Sports Journalism (2:1)

Paston College, Norfolk | 2002 – 2004 – A Levels: Media Studies (A), Physical Education (D)

AS Levels: English Language (A), History (E)

Aylsham High, Norfolk | 1997 – 2002 – GCSE x 10 Grades A – C

Interests

Attending, reporting and writing about sporting events is a big passion of mine. Over the last few months I have attended many memorable occasions from David Haye v John Ruiz at the MEN arena to England v Australia at Lords.

Away from sport, I have an interest in Search Engine Optimisation, current affairs, implementing new ideas, challenging myself, keeping fit, listening to music and reviewing albums.

References (More available upon request)

Mr Dean Naidoo, Sports Journalism Lecturer, Trinity and All Saints College, Leeds, LS18 5HD.

0113 283 7100 D.Naidoo@leedstrinity.ac.uk