Writing Match Reports

I do not want to put people off writing reports so please do not take this as criticism but here are a few guidelines for writing match reports.

Timing: The recession is affecting the papers, they have less space and the staff have to cover editions for other towns as well as Harlow. To get a report in it has to be early and well written so that they do not have to do a lot of editing. I can edit reports but that slows the process down.
Reports should be with me by mid-day Monday at the latest. If you are NOT going to submit a report, email to say so. That way I do not hold up other team reports waiting for you.

Length: Keep reports for submission to the newspapers short. Long ones get cut if they have time, or dumped if they don’t. If you want to submit a slightly longer version for the websites that is OK but send me the press version first.

Style: Remember for newspaper reports you are writing for a non-rugby audience so avoid too much rugby jargon and use proper names not nicknames. Vary the players you mention from week to week if possible.

Be positive: We are trying to give a good image of the club as a place where people will want to come to play and to bring their children to join. Concentrate on what is good and save the criticism for the team talk on training night.

Sending your report: The preferred method is to write it in MS Word and send it to me press@harlow-rugby.co.uk as an attachment. If that is not possible include it in your email. If you copy the email to Paul paul.eynon@harlow-rugby.co.uk it saves time getting it onto the web.

Specific guidelines
To maximise the chances of getting a report into the newspapers report in the newspapers the format should be

Match Result (home team first) followed by match status e.g.

Chelmsford 0 Harlow III 62
Essex Merit Table Div VI


Description of match: Try to highlight what is good rather than dwell on mistakes. Give a mention to a player who is working hard to raise his game. Acknowledge what was good about the opposition, after all it makes us look better if we did well against them. A short report every week is more likely to be used that a long one once every few months.

Scorers e.g.
Tries: John Smith (2), Tom Jones etc.
Conversions: Peter Jones (2)
Penalties: …
Drop Goals: …

Team: either list by position e.g.
1 Tom Jones, 2. Peter Smith (sub Harry Smith (65mins)...

Or just

Team from: followed by a list of everyone who took part.
Names must be proper names not nicknames

I can do a small amount of editing but please try to get it roughly right in terms of spelling and punctuation etc. It only takes a couple of minutes to run the spell checker. Remember the deadline is about mid-day Monday and that is hard to meet if it comes in late and needs a lot of correction. Tell me if you are NOT submitting.

A report for use on the public pages of the club website still should be reasonably correct but style can be relaxed a bit. Nicknames are OK but remember a lot of members who do not know your team will read it. Humour is OK but do not go too far.

A report in the members only pages can be a bit more relaxed but remember juniors and their parents may read it so keep it clean(ish).

Finally a key rugby tradition we never criticise a ref

Contact persons: Ideally I would like a contact person from every team who will submit the reports. Some teams already have very good reporters but please can you all confirm who will be doing your reports in future and let me have their phone numbers and emails.

Dave Sharp
11 October 2011

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