Your Club Media Officer should set-up and maintain a contacts list for when you have something newsworthy for the local press. Just work through these simple five tips to achieve your goal.

1. Note down all your local media channels. These should include newspapers (local and regional, daily and weekly) local magazines and events guides, websites (think newspaper/radio sites, plus listings sites such as mumsnet or local authorities, radio and TV stations).

2. Do a web search or use your local phone directory to get preferably a contact number or email address for each channel.

3. Call (or email if you don’t have a number) and ask to speak to the right person on the sportsdesk, or a reporter who deals with local community news and events.

4. Ensure you have a good debut. Be friendly and keep the conversation short, as reporters are busy people. Get the reporters’ contact details (direct phone line and email), check the best time to send through press releases and mention any key events you have coming up. Provide your contact details in a follow-up email.

5. Update your contacts list every six months or as/when your contacts leave. Keep this list in a safe place and make sure you pass it on if you handover your role, advising your contacts of the change of Club Media Officer.