Little League Football Officers' Manual

26 PRESS REPORTS

Refer to

Find out if your local paper will print match reports, news of Little League Football events, details of forthcoming trials etc as these will all help the enthusiasm and success of your League; which is why some Leagues appoint a Publicity Officer.

How? By calling the editorial team of every paper produced in your area and talking to them. They need you far more than you need them. Call them up, get a name and have a chat. Ask if they're interested (!). Find out who to send stuff to and how to submit material (e.g. email, letter). Let them know it's about you; your passion; the children and their passion. Journalists will listen to people like you because you are their readers and what excites you will excite other readers. What they don't like is PR people and pomposity!

Leagues interested in putting details on a web site should refer to Section 35.

The Editors of footbaLLFocus magazine always welcome articles and items of news.

Some simple advice about submitting articles to your local paper

Plan your report and keep it simple. Keep it short (under 200 words if you can); names and photos always go down well.

Meet the deadlines for the relevant newspapers, call them to get a name of the relevant journalist and then address your envelope (or email) specifically to that person. Don't be afraid to phone up to ask whether they got it and whether they'll use it. If they can't they'll say so - don't take it personally. There may not be enough room, or other things have taken their interest

Use your own Little League Football headed paper. Be you. Don't try to be what you aren't - just tell it like it is and they'll turn it into something the readers will understand.

Don't do it too often - keep your stories for something extra special. The press can't cover you every week - but they will always do their best to print something that's local - especially if there's children and competition involved.

When making notes, try to be as fair as possible to both teams, as well as giving an accurate description of the balance of play. The goal scorers always get a good mention, but you should also give defenders credit, and those who may not have as much ability, but try just as hard. Check scorers, spelling of names, and spelling in general.

Sometimes there is a high scoring game. With no disrespect to the winners, it is far better for all concerned to report these matches in the briefest terms, such as "Jimmy Smith and Mike Jones shared the goals in a convincing win".

It is also more tactful to withhold the players name for the dreaded own goal - " an unfortunate own goal completed the scoring" will suffice.