Ollie Simpson took on the pride of Wolverhampton, Wales and even still stood tall in the face of recent car troubles!

The former pupil of Bournemouth FC's School of Excellence, now 21, played alongside Sam Vokes and now aims to tackle back-page exclusives in future as a sports writer.

'To be honest, there was a lot of pressure at the academy, especially when you're doing that on top of secondary school.  I almost lost my love of the game, but becoming a sports writer would definitely be the next best thing.'

The versatility of having an insider's perspective on 'tall brutes' like Vokes in the football academies doesn't end there, though.  Ollie also enjoys golf - both playing and watching.

However, after a game at his local course the other day, he was forced to play spectator in the car park as he watched his car being towed away:

'I didn't see the tree stump on the grass, and drove over it until my entire car was elevated off the ground, unable to go forward or in reverse!'

With his eyes on the prize of a career in sports journalism, Ollie hopes for less of the latter at Up To Speed's 'Sports Journalism' course with the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

Francis Scott of Romsey is a smart lad with some impressive A levels, 2 As and 1 A star. He is eager to progress onto Exeter University to study history and politics, linking with his current journalism studies.

He has a younger brother aged 16, who wishes to follow in Francis’ footsteps.

Francis was once a keen swimmer attending Romsey Rapids, who revealed ‘a baby had a little accident in the pool which landed on me during a swimming lesson’.

He wishes to wait until he is atleast 30 before considering having children of his own.

Francis also happens to be quite a multi-cultured chap, with Irish, English, Scottish, Portugese, French and Spanish in his genetics.

Up To Speed magazine journalism student Charlotte Jeune

‘I’m stuck on this lady’s car’, Charlotte Juene told her mother over the phone. The 19 year old’s Toyota Corolla had collided with a car’s tow bar at a junction outside the Horton Inn. Her next call had been to Up To Speed to let them know that her foot had ‘slipped’ on the brake and she wouldn’t make her first day. And so ‘Jeunou’s’ journalism career got off to a shaky start.
She was travelling from her home in Gillingham where she lives with her prison officer father, mother and sister ‘Grub’. In the small town she spends her time seeing local bands like ‘Jeb and the Ends’ but admits this has a little to do with a friend ‘fancying the lead singer’. For the last couple of years she has been submitting online reviews of film and music and, describing herself as ‘an amateur film buff’, says she’ll watch ‘anything good’. This, she makes very clear, does not include Twilight.
Charlotte ‘loves’ living in country but does admit that she will most likely need to overcome her ‘hatred of city living and public transport’ if she is to pursue her desired career in music journalism. Though, with her beloved 16 year old Toyota now scrap metal, she may not have a choice.

Up To Speed magazine journalism student Andrew Watson

Young ambitious journalist Andrew Watson comes unstuck when attempting to find Aberdeen’s next big story
Andrew Watson, 23, a third year student at the Robert Gordon University, unsettled residents at the House of Behelvie when taking photos for an article for the Family History Society
Watson said, ‘ I did not want to disturb the owner, just wanted to take the photos and be on my way’
The owner of the house did not see it this way and chased after the young Scot for several minutes demanding an explanation.
Watson desecribed the man as ‘angry’ and ‘upset’.
Once confronted by the owner Watson explained the reasons for the photos the owner was still left angry and annoyed.
Next time Andrew Watson attempts to find his next news headline he will be sure to think twice about the lengths he goes to to get those pictures

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Up To Speed magazine journalism student Harriet Crosby

Aspiring travelling foodie, Harriet Crosby looks forward to a year of travelling and eating.
MIss Crosby, 18, from Harrogate, Yorkshire, a self-proclaimed ‘foodie’, is venturing to Borneo and Asia next year, as she fulfills a child-hood dream of travelling.
“I just want to travel the world and eat,” she said.
Harriet will be venturing to Borneo as part of an environmental sustainability expedition, where she is hoping not only to make a difference but to sample the local delicacies.
Harriet completed a three month cookery course at the Edinburgh School of Food and Wine when it comes to trying new things, she claims to be looking forward to sampling what the chef’s of Borneo have to offer.
Harriet has spent most of her life moving around, finding that the home is where the suitcase is. She looks at her future travelling with an inspiring optimism.
“I hope nothing happens to me,” she said.

Up To Speed sports journalism student Christian Bird

Chris Bird wants to fly like Asafa Powell, and with a personal best of 10.9 seconds in the 100 metres he is not far off!

This lightning time is particulary impressive considering Bird stands at only 5ft 5 inches tall and he has been smoking since he was 15.

Bird, 19, lives in Canford Heath, Poole, and has spent his last ‘gap year’ improving his fitness, as well as holding down jobs in Tesco and a summer activity camp for kids. And as Bird sheepishly confesses, a bit of “dossing around in between”.

Apart from the sprinting, Bird holds ambitions in the hockey world, hoping to join the Bath squad he claims is “the most professional team around”.

Using his sports knowledge Bird has high hopes for ‘uptospeed’ to launch his career into sports journalism. But for the meantime, Bird admits that getting a girlfriend is still his “number one priority”.