{"id":13243,"date":"2024-07-17T11:38:37","date_gmt":"2024-07-17T11:38:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/?p=13243"},"modified":"2024-07-17T12:09:21","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T12:09:21","slug":"the-big-leagues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/2024\/07\/17\/the-big-leagues\/","title":{"rendered":"The Big Leagues"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Following a nail-biting final for England fans, University of Reading graduate and BBC Sport producer, Phil Bigwood, chatted all things Reading and sports with CONNECTED.<\/span><\/p>\n

From winning trophies for St Andrew\u2019s Hall, to Match of the Day, the Olympics, World Cups and UEFA Euro 2024 \u2013 Politics and International Relations<\/a> graduate and BBC Sport<\/a> producer, Phil, doesn\u2019t take his dream job for granted, even thirty years on.<\/p>\n

A serendipitous start<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"After graduating, Phil was unsure of his career path but knew he wanted to work in sports. His journey after Reading began with a firm of American architects designing Liverpool Street station in London, but he soon found his way to the BBC. Phil explained: \u201cI started phoning and writing to various BBC sport departments around the country, asking if I could see how things worked and if there were any job openings.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have done anything, I just wanted to work in sport and hopefully work my way up from there. Eventually, a job as a clerk at BBC Sport in Shepherd\u2019s Bush, West London opened up and that was my foot in the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

Phil progressed from a clerk to a floor manager, then to assistant producer and eventually became an executive producer in the early 2000s. Phil said: \u201cThe BBC has been amazing for me. Once you\u2019re in, it\u2019s possible to work your way up, and I was able to benefit from a series of six month attachments \u2013 which allows you to try different roles \u2013 and gave me an introduction into the world of TV production. I absolutely loved it and knew that was what I wanted to do going forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was actually offered a more senior role in admin but I\u2019d got a taste for the production side of things while trying out floor management. So, when a role for assistant producer came up, I went for it \u2013 and the rest is history.\u201d<\/p>\n

Career highlights<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"PhilPhil has been responsible for the production elements of the BBC\u2019s Euro 2024 coverage in Germany which kicked off in June. Of watching England\u2019s recent semi-final and final games, Phil said: \u201cThe Euros was a really special event for me. I was lucky enough to be in the stadium in Dortmund for the semi-final \u2013 it was quite a moment when Ollie Watkins scored so late in the game. The atmosphere was incredible and it’s fair to say the BBC team were very happy!<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe final unfortunately didn\u2019t quite deliver and obviously the defeat to Spain was a huge disappointment to everyone. It was a shame, the whole nation was watching and we \u2013 like everyone \u2013 obviously hoped for that elusive and historic moment. But sometimes it isn\u2019t meant to be and Spain deserved to win.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Throughout the Euros Phil led on the studio plans in Berlin, liaised with UEFA on production plans, was involved in the talent decisions, budget and TV scheduling as well as various other elements such as the logistical planning, health and safety, titles and the technical delivery.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Phil explained: \u201cThe production planning typically starts about three years prior to a major tournament like this. During this year\u2019s Euros we tried to minimise travel and the number of people travelling by handling most of the production facilities in Salford, despite having our studios in Berlin. It\u2019s a split operation which makes it very technical and complex \u2013 but it\u2019s really important we try to be as sustainable as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Phil\u2019s career at BBC Sport has been full of memorable moments, having produced coverage for numerous major events, including every FIFA World Cup from 2002 to 2022, with planning for 2026 already underway. He\u2019s also produced coverage for the UEFA European Championships from 2004, the 2012 and 2014 London Olympics, as well as cricket, heavyweight title fights, cycling, snooker, darts and even water-skiing. A personal highlight for Phil has been working on Match of the Day.

Phil said: \u201cWorking alongside some of my sporting heroes has been amazing. Even after working on it for years, I never get blas\u00e9 about it.<\/p>\n

\n

“The buzz of live broadcasting and knowing the whole country is watching is unmatched. Yes, it can be pressurised and fraught, but the reward when a programme goes well can\u2019t be beaten\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Phil\u2019s proudest moments have come from working on these major events. He explained: \u201cAs Executive Producer, you\u2019re captain of the ship, trying to get everyone working together as a team to create the best programmes possible.

\u201cIt\u2019s a huge team effort and as someone who wasn\u2019t particularly confident growing up, I never thought I\u2019d be the one guiding the TV coverage or directing some of the biggest programmes on British television. It\u2019s just as well I work with a great team.\u201d

Things became even more special for Phil when the BBC\u2019s 2018 World Cup coverage of the quarter-final between England and Sweden won a BAFTA<\/a>. He said: \u201cWinning was entirely a team effort and I don\u2019t class the BAFTA as my own, but it was still a really memorable moment in my career.

\u201cOn the evening of the awards ceremony I had jokingly agreed to go and receive the award if we won, never thinking we actually would!<\/p>\n

\n

“Suddenly the announcement was made and I was walking from the back of the auditorium with my colleagues towards the stage to collect the award thinking \u2018what am I going to say\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cLike a lot of people, I hate public speaking, so on top of the award it was a really proud moment to have come up with something to say on the spot. To have spoken on live TV, in front of a huge crowd, with celebrities in the front row, wasn\u2019t something I\u2019d have ever imagined myself doing.\u201d Phil went on to win a second BAFTA for his work on the Women\u2019s Euros in England in 2022.<\/p>\n

Gaining confidence <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Although Phil is now comfortable within his senior role at the BBC, he admits that he wasn\u2019t always that confident. Phil said: \u201cAs a type one diabetic from the age of ten, my parents really \u00a0worried when I went to university, as it was my first time away from home.<\/p>\n

\n

“But it made me realise that even with health issues, anything was possible. Going to Reading was the best decision I could have made!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI have so many fond memories of Reading \u2013 from staying up all night before exams studying, parties, St Andrews Hall, to boat trips along the Thames in Caversham. I made friends for life at Reading \u2013 most of whom came out to join me at the Euros. To still be meeting up 40 years after we first met is really special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI even did a bit of sport myself during my time at Reading. I played football for the St Andrew\u2019s hall of residence team, I was never any good but we did win a few trophies. I\u2019d never have thought then that I\u2019d end up working for BBC Sport \u2013 but I\u2019m definitely better at watching than playing!\u201d<\/p>\n

For students and graduates aspiring to enter the sports production industry, Phil emphasises the importance of gaining experience and being proactive.<\/p>\n

He explained: \u201cIt\u2019s a competitive field so it\u2019s important to demonstrate that you\u2019re prepared to put the work in. You can volunteer with local clubs and report on their matches, write a blog, or start a YouTube channel. Show that you\u2019re making an effort. There\u2019s so much out there now media wise and a variety of ways to broaden your skills with the likes of social media and podcasts.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cDo whatever you can to build up a portfolio and \u2013 above all \u2013 keep persevering whatever the knockbacks.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He also advises narrowing down specific interests within the industry. Phil said: \u201cWhether it\u2019s being behind the camera or in front of it, writing or technical support \u2013 focus on what you enjoy most. The industry is vast, and finding your niche can help you make a mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

Did you find your dream job after graduating from Reading? Share your story with us by e-mailing: alumni@reading.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Following a nail-biting final for England fans, University of Reading graduate and BBC Sport producer, Phil Bigwood, chatted all things Reading and sports with CONNECTED. From winning trophies for St Andrew\u2019s Hall, to Match of the Day, the Olympics, World Cups and UEFA Euro 2024 \u2013 Politics and International Relations graduate and BBC Sport producer, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":225,"featured_media":13268,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[185,17,34,96,88],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Big Leagues - Connected<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Following a nail-biting final for England fans, Reading graduate and BBC Sport producer, Phil Bigwood, chatted all things Reading and sports.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/2024\/07\/17\/the-big-leagues\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Big Leagues - 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