Courtesy of Rugby Union Writers Club
News 15
MA graduate wins student Foreign Press Association award
Russell Hargreaves in the commentary box at Twickenham Stadium
Remembering broadcaster Russell Hargreaves By Luke Bradley
S
ports journalist and former City lecturer Russell Hargreaves has passed away at the age of 45. A talkSPORT pundit for a wide variety of sports, Hargreaves was also a veteran member of the journalism department, having both studied and taught at City. Known affectionately as “Russ”, Hargreaves read Classics at Cambridge University before graduating from City’s MA Broadcasting course in 2001. After graduating, he went on to have a successful career in sports journalism that saw him cover a range of events, from the Ryder Cup to the Lions Tour. Hargreaves was an avid fan of Harlequins rugby team, as well as National League football team, Kidderminster Harriers. He was also an Arsenal FC
supporter and provided regular commentary for their matches, which endeared him to many City alumni. In 2021, Hargreaves returned to City as an undergraduate tutor and guest editor of the MA Broadcast programme. “When we needed another tutor on our undergraduate programme, he sprung to mind as an obvious choice,” said Sandy Warr, City’s senior lecturer who taught Hargreaves and worked with him at talkSPORT. “Russ had a wonderful gift for helping people feel comfortable and confident, and develop their abilities. He was always very generous and spirited in helping other people discover their talent. She added: “It was a wonderful full circle moment of him learning his craft here, going into the
industry and developing an extraordinary range of skills, becoming a good coach, and then coming in here and teaching as well.” In talkSPORT’s online tribute, radio producer and presenter Scott Taylor said: “Not only was he the ultimate professional, who was well-researched and would tackle any show with the same amount of effort and commitment, leaving no stone unturned, he was the most genuine, kind, humble human being who would make time for everyone, and I mean everyone.” Professor Mel Bunce, head of the journalism department at City, said: “His love for media, his passion for Arsenal and his habit of calling everyone ‘mate’ won him many friends.” Hargreaves is survived by his wife, Rachel, and his three children.
The Foreign Press Association awarded Maya Saad ‘Student Foreign Correspondent of the Year’ at their Media Awards in November 2023. Ms Saad, a graduate of City’s Investigative Journalism MA last year, won for her final project, a video on small boat migration in Lebanon. In her acceptance speech, she dedicated her award to Reuters’ video journalist, Issam Abdallah, who lost his life while reporting on the southern Lebanese border during the Israel-Palestine conflict. “It was very exciting getting the award,” said Ms Saad. “I wasn’t expecting it. It was a long and challenging process making the video. It was my first experience filming alone, with my father helping me carry my equipment. It was very rewarding making the piece, speaking to people and getting to know them.” The judges, who included City’s own senior journalism lecturer Glenda Cooper, said: “The story had excellent access to individuals and the families directly affected – which was dealt with great sensitivity. Maya is not from Lebanon but managed to get all the right interviewees to produce a well balanced and topical report which showed great humanity.” Caitlin Barr