Media session report back from participants: Training Session Outcomes

Media session report back from participants

Training Session Outcomes

The messages from the session were:

• Work as a team when approached by the media.

• Take 5 minutes to discuss with each other and the match referee, the scenario that has arisen.

• Buy time with the broadcasters no matter how much pressure you appear to be under.

• Work to a position where you are comfortable and not to broadcaster/media deadlines.

• Protect each other in the interview/s.

• Be yourself but answer questions without volunteering unnecessary information.

• Make sure you understand the question in its entirety.

• Be careful of the language used - i.e., the use of ‘stuffed up’ became a focal point of the remainder of the interview.

• Be aware of body language - glancing at a watch during an interview presents an interviewer with a chance to attack and portrays a lack of interest or concentration.

• Look directly at the interviewer - averting eyes (and changing tones of answers) can give the appearance of being shifty and some might interpret that as not being truthful.

• Remember the microphone is always on. Never say anything off camera before or after the interview that you wouldn’t be comfortable to repeat in the interview.

• Know the subject, don’t guess, don’t waffle and never, never, lie.

• Preparation is always the key. Prepare together before an interview so that you know the key messages and get to those key messages immediately i.e., bring up unsafe in the first question after coming off for bad light.