Impressive line-up for student journalists' daily podcast Que Sera Qatar
Football manager Ian Holloway and BBC boxing expert Steve Bunce are among the big-name guests who have appeared on a podcast produced by the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) sports journalism course.
Students – supported by staff – are producing a 30-minute podcast every day throughout the course of World Cup.
Called Que Sera Qatar, it is scripted, hosted and produced by students – and each day they have a guest joining them.
Students from all three year-groups are taking part and are loving the chance to be part of a real-life professional production, which is livestreamed on YouTube and available on streaming platforms like Spotify.
"I feel like we’re making the most of having the World Cup during term-time and it’s great talking to different guests from the industry each day."
— Third year sports journalism student Dan Gallagher
“I’m loving every minute of it,” said third year Dan Gallagher, who has appeared on it twice as a pundit.
“I feel like we’re making the most of having the World Cup during term-time and it’s great talking to different guests from the industry each day.
“It’s quite nerve-wracking being sat in a studio knowing you’re about to go live but you can see, and hear, how much we’ve improved since the first one and we’re all really enjoying.”
When former Blackpool FC manager Neil Critchley – most recently Steven Gerrard’s assistant at Aston Villa - appeared last week, host Jack Goodwin pushed him on his next career move.
"The discipline of having a deadline each day, and the preparation and research and scripting involved, means the students are learning so much."
— Sports journalism lecturer Gerrie Byrne
Critchley’s answer was picked up by media outlets around the UK and his quotes – and the sports journalism course – were mentioned in many newspapers.
Other guests so far include Sun reporter Martin Blackburn – based in Qatar with the Wales team – national radio DJ Greg Burns, and BBC England football producer Gary Flintoff.
Sports journalism lecturer Gerrie Byrne – who came up with the podcast idea – says the learning experience for students has been vital.
“The discipline of having a deadline each day, and the preparation and research and scripting involved, means the students are learning so much,” she said.
“Plus, they have to interview a high-profile guest each day which is a test in itself.
“It’s hard work for the staff but definitely worth the while, and we’re producing some real quality podcasts, which are improving each day.”
The podcast is livestreamed at 10.30am each day and also available on Spotify.