BA (Hons) Sports Journalism, 2:1York St John University
Sports writer, editor and content-maker.
I take an audience nobody's serving, find the story, and turn it into something people want to read. For a university project I built an 18-page concept magazine on my own: every word, photograph and layout. I'm after a communications or editorial role where that range goes to work for a team.
Interview
After being named national Large Event of the Year in 2025, Harrogate Tri Club’s volunteer-run race went back to the drawing board. Race organiser Paul Dunn talks safety, the town’s cycling heritage, and why up to half the field could be first-timers.
Harrogate Triathlon was founded in 2012 and now draws 400 adults and 150 juniors to Ashville Sports Centre at Ashville College. It is run by club volunteers rather than a commercial organiser, and in 2025 it was named national Large Event of the Year at the Triathlon England Awards. Ahead of the 2026 race, I spoke to race organiser Paul Dunn.
Winning Large Event of the Year in 2025 is a massive achievement. How has that recognition influenced your preparations for 2026?
Having that accolade, we looked at similar events in the area. Some commercial events have larger budgets than volunteer-run events, so we took a fresh look at safety, logistics and everything on race day, and remapped all our procedures. We want everyone to have a good day and be able to compete. That holds us to a standard for British Triathlon, and we want to keep it as an annual event for Yorkshire.
Harrogate is known for its cycling heritage, having hosted the UCI Road World Championships. How does the triathlon make the most of the town’s sporting identity?
It’s a great thing. Harrogate as a town has lots of sports clubs, and it’s perfect for cycling: we have the Dales and the Moors. People will become aware of the traditional course. It’s three [disciplines], and it’s used as a training route. 400 metres isn’t that far. There are lots of cyclists in the area, and it’s about making sure it’s a good cross-training event. And if you’re injured, you can always swim.
What percentage of this year’s field are first-time triathletes?
Up to 50 per cent. But people of varying experience could still be novices.
Finally, what’s your message to anyone who wants to get active and try something different?
We will always encourage people to enter and take part in a triathlon. It’s not as hard as it seems, and there’s something for everyone. For those who want to spectate, it’s a great way to understand what happens on race day. Take part, and there’ll be discounts on clothing and other things on the day. Definitely come for an hour or two. A little bit of exposure will go a long way.
Paul Dunn is race organiser at Harrogate Tri Club.
Concept project
A concept sports-lifestyle magazine, written, designed and photographed end to end as a university project.
A concept magazine for people who watch sport from home.
I built every part of it: the editorial concept and voice, the full 18-page issue, a long-form feature structured around mock interviews, the food and travel pages, every original photograph, the page design, and the pitch behind it. The interviewees are fictional; the writing, structure, photography and design are all mine.
It started from a real insight, that most fans now watch from home and no title was speaking to them, and its data pages draw on real published research. It shows how I plan, write, pace and design long-form sports content.
Concept pitch · 14 slidesThe half of the job that isn't writing.
The commercial case for the concept magazine, produced for the same university project: market data, competitor mapping, audience insight, production and distribution plans, financials and editorial ethics.
Research
Dissertation · BA (Hons) Sports Journalism · York St John University · 2026
Why do newspapers, broadcasters and fans treat football agents as the villains of the modern game, and why do journalists keep relying on the people they criticise? Using critical discourse analysis and a case study of Neymar’s €222m move to Paris Saint-Germain, I show how labels like ‘super-agent’ and ‘Mr Fix It’ build stigma, and how a cycle of leaks and exclusives keeps it going.
Read the dissertationJournalists depend on agents for the story, then cast them as its villain.
Published writing
Football news and transfer reporting for a national site, plus match reports and features filed to deadline.
Football news & transfers for Football Lowdown
Match reports & features for The Yorkie
What I do
Features, match reports, news and copy, with a voice, and to a deadline.
Reels, graphics and running a brand's channels so they actually sound like something.
Critical media analysis, from dissertation-length research to data-led features.
Original photography, page layout and short-form video, shot and cut myself.
Audience insight, positioning and pitching, the case behind the creative.
A magazine start to finish is a lesson in owning every deadline on it.