School sports podcast in running for global award for second year

A podcast hosted by students with autism at a Wolverhampton special school is in the running to be named one of the best in the world – for the second year.

The TWS Sports Podcast was launched in 2021 by youngsters at Tettenhall Wood School and last year it saw off competition to be named winner of the Best Equality and Social Impact at the global Sports Podcast Awards.

The podcast, which is available at https://linktr.ee/twssportspodcast, has seen Tettenhall Wood students Thomas Watkins and Alyssa Dunn interview the likes of cricketers Matthew Hoggard, Nasser Hussain, Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Atherton, champion jockey Peter Scudamore, footballers Joe Hart, Matt Le Tissier, Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce, Walsall manager Michael Flynn and former Wolves stars Conor Coady and Dave Edwards, Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward, wrestler Mick Foley and boxer Carl Froch.

And it has once again been shortlisted in the Best Equality and Social Impact category at this year’s Sports Podcast Awards – with local people invited to cast their vote and help lead it to victory for a second time.

Adam Millichip, Outreach Teacher and PE Lead at Tettenhall Wood School, said: " This is an incredible achievement for our students and Tettenhall Wood School.

“Thomas and Alyssa have been working so hard this year and have dedicated a lot of their time to improving the podcast, developing new skills and helping the podcast to grow.

“We are up against some brilliant podcasts from around the world so to be shortlisted is an incredible achievement, but as always we want to go one better and win the award once again – so we would love it if people could give us their vote."

To vote, create a free account at www.sportspodcastgroup.com/create-account, click on 'Awards' and 'Vote', and find the TWS Sports Podcast in the Equality and Social Impact category.

Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, said: "The podcast is an excellent innovation by Tettenhall Wood School, showing just what their pupils are capable of.

"It was a very worthy winner in 2022 and now Thomas and Alyssa are back to defend their title. I would urge everyone to have a listen and, as importantly, cast their vote for the TWS Sports Podcast in the Sports Podcast Awards."

TWS Sports Podcast hosts Thomas Watkins and Alyssa Dunn with Tettenhall Wood School Outreach Teacher Adam Millichip and Walsall manager Michael Flynn.