Communication off the pitch is just as important as on it. Play to your strengths and identify a member of your club who can talk a good game to become your dedicated Media Officer.
1. Your Club Media Officer should ideally be able to write well, be connected to the internet as most contact is by email and be comfortable picking up the phone to sell-in club news to journalists. The Media Officer could be a parent or player at your club, or you could even try looking outside the club, such as a student on a journalism course at the local college or university. You could give a young, eager student a chance to do some work experience in sports writing and get some media coverage for your club.
2. All club members should be aware of who the Club Media Officer is and that they deal with media contact. Any other club member or parent who is approached by a journalist or photographer should know to advise the Club Media Officer to deal with the approach. Ideally your Club Media Officer should be on your club committee, so they get to know the senior members of your club, are clear on the club’s plans and objectives, and are updated with everything that is going on.
3. The Club Media Officer should set-up and maintain a contacts list. They should make contact with local media when starting the role and should keep a positive relationship going.
4. The Club Media Officer should keep a record of all media coverage secured and share this with members. This could be in a media scrapbook or noticeboard available for parents or players at a clubhouse, or in a newsletter or website.
5. The Club Media Officer should look after all media attending matches or club events. This includes being comfortable as the club spokesperson if the journalist wants to ask for the club’s point of view to include in their story. See spokesperson tips for further guidance.