I’m often asked about my journey to becoming a journalist and a sports presenter and to give advice to people aspiring to do the same job. So I wanted to write a few general notes here on my approach to developing a skill-set and finding employers who value that skill-set.
Firstly, a little bit about my background. Like a lot of sports journalists, I wanted to be a professional sportsman. I also enjoyed English at school, so when the sports dream didn’t materialise, I ranked talking or writing about sport as the next-best career. I did work experience at local papers as a teenager, had a summer internship at Men’s Health Magazine in London and wrote football reports for Loughborough University’s student magazine Label – mostly games I played in!
But my real training began while obtaining my masters in journalism at Ohio University. The small town of Athens, Ohio boasted multiple radio stations, a local TV channel and several newspapers. In my two years there, I believe I worked for all of the outlets – writing numerous newspaper articles, hosting radio bulletins, commentating on a variety sports for local radio and presenting TV sports news as well as shooting, editing and voicing reporter packages. Most of this was unpaid, though my first ‘job’ was as a writer covering high school basketball in Logan, Ohio. I returned to the UK, found work at the local BBC radio station in Worcester and continued to do a mix of paid and voluntary work until clearer avenues opened up – culminating in becoming a reporter and presenter at Sky Sports.
In terms of the outlets I worked for, there’s no exact blueprint to follow – media has changed hugely since I started out in 2005. But I believe the principles of building a skill-set still work – practice, review adjust and repeat. Reps and hours practicing are key.
I believe it makes sense to practice all mediums of journalism in the beginning – writing, radio/audio and on camera/video and see where you flourish and where the opportunities open up. Great if you can get experience practicing these skills for an established outlet. But technology is at a point where you can produce content comfortably and cheaply. For example, voice ‘pretend’ radio reports on your phone, or record a commentary. Go and watch a local football match and write a report on the full-time whistle. Film yourself presenting a dummy sports program. Without thousands of pounds for a video camera, this would have been impossible when I was starting out, but smart phones make it very feasible. How about asking a local sports team if you can develop their website and social media content to get real-world practice?
Anything that allows you to practice communication is a positive and progressive. Like learning a skill in sport, e.g. free throw shooting in basketball, it’s about reps. You are practicing communication every time you send a text message or hold a conversation. Try and be conscious of how you’re communicating.
Other people’s opinions can help, but don’t take them as Gospel. Developing skills is aided by being open to feedback and being coached. But always run feedback through a filter – as objectively as you can – to see if it’s right for you. An editor might want you to speak in a different way – is there objective merit in that advice or just personal preference?
At its most fundamental, whether it’s in writing, on camera presentation, or audio-based work, journalism is about communication. Are you working to become a more effective communicator in all mediums? Are you economical with your use of words? Can people who didn’t grow up in your part of the country, understand you? I try to remember this at all times. And I have a long way to go!
Remember, presenting, like any role where you get ‘picked’, is a fickle pursuit. If you complete medical school, you’ll likely get a job as a doctor. But unless you start you own medium (possible in the internet era) you have to get selected to work as a presenter. The truth is some editors/senior producers (‘bosses’) will like your voice and your style – and others won’t. Don't spend time ruminating on that. Control the controllable – the fundamentals of communication. Practice, adjust and practice some more. If you skill-set is strong, you’ll find someone who appreciates your style.
Knowledge is a powerful tool. Learn as much about as many sports as possible. You never know when you might need it. If you work in the UK, you'll likely require a working knowledge of football (soccer).
Persistence is essential. You have to keep putting yourself forward for things until you find the right opportunity, at the right time, in front of the right gatekeeper. Keep knocking on doors, keep practicing and you’ll create momentum. As they say, you’ll miss 100 percent of the shots you never took.
Finally, enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy working weekends and shift work, generally, working in sports media may not be for you. Don’t do it because of the perceived glamour, make sure you enjoy it. And make sure at the outset that your significant others are on board with you working weekends, missing family events etc.
If you’re keen to work in media, I hope this has helped.
Best wishes, Teddy Draper
May 2022
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