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Essex non-league football fan wins BBC Young Reporter award

Jamie Niblock/BBC Jack doing post-match interview with Billericay manager Gary McCannJamie Niblock/BBC
Jack has been doing Billericay Town's club media due to his love for non-league football

An Essex teenager with a love of non-league football has won the BBC's Young Reporter Competition for the East.

Jack, 15, from Laindon, has been volunteering as a media assistant and reporter at Isthmian Premiership side Billericay Town for nearly two years.

His roles include radio reporting, writing club articles, doing player interviews and updating the club's social media.

He has described the non-league game as "special".

Jamie Niblock/BBC Jack in the press box at Billericay TownJamie Niblock/BBC
Alongside his roles for Billericay Town, Jack has also written for the Billericay and Wickford Gazette

At the age of 13, Jack went to a Billericay home match with some friends. He mentioned to a steward that he loved writing and offered his help in assisting the media.

He was given the chance to do some trial reports and before long was sat in the press box.

Jamie Niblock/BBC Jack in the press box at Billericay TownJamie Niblock/BBC
Jack does the job voluntarily, like most people involved in non-league football

"I'm so grateful to the club for helping me and putting their trust in me. I'm really enjoying what I do here. It's all about multi-tasking, but I feel like I've come a long way," he said.

Jack said grassroots football was "integral to the community".

"Most of these clubs rely on volunteers," he said.

"There is a sense of belonging here that you would never experience higher up the football pyramid."

Jamie Niblock/BBC Jack stood in front of the Billericay Town mural, recording a piece for radioJamie Niblock/BBC
One of Jack's roles requires him to record half-time reports for local station Phoenix Radio

He added: "Going to away grounds and working in different press areas is all good experience for me.

"Everyone would love to work at Wembley covering England in a World Cup final, but I'm happy with how I'm starting out.

"This is a real, pure experience - pure football. You're so close to the pitch, it's almost like you're part of the action."

Jamie Niblock/BBC Jack in the press box, finalising a match report in an empty standJamie Niblock/BBC
Jack said winning the BBC award was "quite an accolade"

Jack now writes for a range of online outlets, doing a mix of paid and unpaid work while honing his skills.

He has even penned 600-word pieces for his local paper, the Billericay and Wickford Gazette.

Jack is only into his second season covering Billericay, but has won the respect of players and staff.

Jamie Niblock/BBC Billericay Town FC in action in the Isthmian PremiershipJamie Niblock/BBC
Jack said he had gained the players' trust and approval at Billericay Town

"Because of my age I can see it might be different for senior reporters when they are interviewing someone, but I feel I have gained their trust."

BBC Young Reporter works with schools, colleges and youth groups to provide 11-18 year olds the opportunity to tell their own stories to a real audience, develop media skills and learn about careers in broadcasting.

"Winning this award is quite an accolade. Non-league football is something special. Wherever you live, there's always a non-league club," said Jack.

You can find out more about the BBC Young Reporter here.

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