A Sports Journalism student at the University of Winchester made her TV debut with an action-packed report about hovercraft racing enthusiasts which aired on BBC’s South Today.
Leah Halsey, from Didcot in Oxfordshire, scripted, filmed and edited the report on the Southern Branch of the Hovercraft Racing Club of Great Britain single-handed.
The only help she received was for a short scene showing her aboard one of the craft at Popham Airfield, which was shot by her dad, Richard.
Leah explained that she also had to overcome the elements to complete her report which shows some of the normally low-flying hovercraft being lifted in the air.
“It was super windy on the day we filmed! We were pretty much in an open field from just before 10am to 4.30pm and the gusts that day were awful. Not too great for my sound either!” said Leah.
“It also started to rain as the day was ending, and I was wrapping up with interviews. Just typical October weather - but that's Leah 1 - Weather 0 in my book!”
When Leah’s lecturers saw the finished piece, intended for the students’ weekly Winol (Winchester News Online) sport bulletin, they suggested she offer it to the BBC.
Thanks to Lecturer Brian Thornton’s media connections, Leah made contact with the BBC and after the exchange of a few emails the hovercraft piece was cleared for broadcast on 7 November’s edition of South Today.
“It's a great reminder of just how lucky we Journalism and Sports Journalism students are to have well-connected lecturers who still work in the industry today!” said Leah.
She added: “I didn't decide I wanted to do journalism until 2024 - I actually studied Musical Theatre first - but every day I feel more and more certain that I should and will be a Sports Journalist. My lecturers are just amazing too - they give such specific feedback that really helps you develop.”
The 22-year-old, the only woman in her course year group, has a passion for motorsport which extends to having a tattoo on her arm of the Silverstone race circuit.
As well as attending the British F1 Grand Prix this year, Leah was at nine of the 11 rounds of British Superbikes Championship and she volunteers for Superbike-News and Grassroots to Grand Prix.
Leah interviews riders and team owners in the paddock for Superbike-News. She films the interviews for Superbike News website and also uploads the videos to her own social media. Next year she hopes to work with them in the World Superbikes and MotoGP paddock.
For Grassroots to Grand Prix social media, Leah interviews up-and-coming riders, asking them about their careers and for advice for aspiring riders.
“I really can't see myself anywhere but in front of the camera at a racetrack! I'm convinced that my heart is a V10 engine, and I dedicate so much time to racing that it just fits!” said Leah.
Journalism Lecturer Brian Thornton said: “As soon as we saw Leah's story, we knew it should be seen by as big an audience as possible - it was of such a high standard.
"We are so proud of Leah. For a second-year student to have a piece of coursework broadcast, unchanged, by the BBC is utterly amazing."
Watch Leah's report here
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