We caught up with Jasmyn who’s become a familiar face around Trungle in her role as media assistant.
Tell us a bit about yourself: Where are you from, what do you do back at home, and how did you end up working with us here?
My name is Jasmyn Richardson. I am 17 years old and have been an intern at Mousehole AFC for the past five months. I currently live in the Netherlands, but I was born here in England. My dad, Jeff Richardson, is English, and my mum, Linda van den Berg, is Dutch. I moved back to the Netherlands when I was three but have visited many times for holidays.
At home, I am studying to become a Media Designer, which requires 1200 internship hours. When it was time for me to find an internship, my parents suggested doing it at Mousehole AFC and staying with my grandparents. I loved the idea since I always wondered what my life would have been like if I still lived here. It was a great opportunity to grow personally and professionally. I also liked the idea of spending time with my family here in England and getting closer to them.
When I asked my school about the internship, they said the football club had to become a certified internship company. Kevin kindly arranged for Mousehole AFC to make it all possible.
What have your duties been here at the club?
At Mousehole AFC, I created the Mousehole Youth website from scratch using WordPress, which was a new platform for me. I also designed graphics for social media and posters for the town and club.
Towards the end of the season, I started with sports photography. Steve, one of the groundsmen, kindly lent me his camera for a few matches, and later, my uncle Tim lent me his. I am very grateful to both of them because I really enjoyed doing that.
On match days, I helped with the gate and the 50/50 draw. During the game, I sent pictures to my dad for the half-time and full-time posts and updated the Instagram Story and WhatsApp Channel.
What has been the highlight of your time here?
This is a hard question because I genuinely loved every single second of it. However, one highlight was spending time with my grandparents. Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible, and being with them has been amazing. I am so grateful for every second with them.
I also loved match days. The environment and energy were amazing, making it the highlight of my week. Helping out was great, and I absolutely loved it. Creating original graphics and posters and receiving positive feedback was also a wonderful feeling.
What have you found most difficult to adapt to?
When I first arrived, my dad stayed for 10 days to help me settle in, which I am very grateful for. It was difficult when he left because I had never been away from my family for more than a week. But that feeling quickly went away, and I started to love it.
I still speak to my family every day on the phone, so it eventually didn’t feel like I was gone. Working closely with my dad also really helped.
What skills do you think you’ve acquired by being with us?
I have significantly improved my graphic design skills, especially using Canva. I had used Canva before but never fully explored its potential, and I am still learning its capabilities.
I am also learning sports photography, which is challenging because you have to do a lot at once: follow the game, look through the camera, keep it focused, and get good shots.
When I started, I didn’t even know WordPress existed, but I eventually learned how much you can do with it. I loved trying out new plugins and designs.
This internship has also helped me with my communication skills. I was never great at communicating with people I am not close to, but this internship has really challenged me and improved my skills. Helping out on match days contributed to this growth, and I will forever be grateful for that.
How does life in Cornwall differ from life in the Netherlands? What has been your favorite thing you’ve done or experienced here in Cornwall?
In the Netherlands, I live in a very small village with a small population. I enjoy the peace and quiet.
In Cornwall, I love how busy it is—not too crazy, just right for me. My grandparents live close to the sea, so the house overlooks the bay with amazing views. My grandad loves boats, and being able to see the harbor and sea has sparked my interest in boats. I am still learning about them.
My family has also taken me to some amazing places in Cornwall with stunning views. I am grateful for those experiences.
I can’t choose a favorite thing because I have done and experienced so much here. These are memories I will never forget and will be eternally grateful for.
How would you describe the club if you were talking to friends back home?
Everyone welcomed me with open arms, and I immediately felt at home. I would describe it as a loving and friendly football club where everyone is welcome to join the journey and help the club progress.
What are your ambitions for the future?
I love what I am doing for Mousehole, partly because I am part of something I love so much. Working in football has definitely made me consider a career in this direction.
For now I am focusing on my studies and hopefully getting my diploma next year.
England played the Netherlands in the semi-final of the Euros. How was that experience for you in an English household?
Being half Dutch and half English put me in a bit of a dilemma because I wanted both teams to do well. However, I have a special place in my heart for the Dutch national team, so I decided to support them.
My uncle Tim and auntie Nicola were in Germany at the stadium and sent me pictures and videos of their day. They even got Dutch people to say hi to me on camera, which was hilarious.
I watched the game with my grandparents and my cousin. I had red, white, and blue stripes on my face, hoping the Netherlands would win. Everyone else was hoping for a different outcome, of course.
In the last minute, England scored the winning goal, and my grandparents were jumping up and down. But my grandma also felt bad for me. Holland was out, and it was a sad evening, but I quickly got over it and looked forward to the final.
