Writing a Match Report - Juniors

At this stage, with Simon's constant reminders :-), everyone is aware that we publish match reports for each and every game junior teams play. As a little helper this article will present some of the dos and don'ts when writing a match report.

It is important to note that anyone can write match reports. The club encourages a report from one of the coaches which is mostly for the players benefit, and a report from anyone else who watched the match for everyone else's benefit.

We strongly encourage TMs to delegate to a parent(s) on the day and let them share their own style and view of the games. These reports can only be published by the TM or Coach who may edit a little what is written. Anyone writing a report should refresh their memory of the club's codes of conduct.

Coaches Report:
Purpose - generally to reflect on execution in the game of what was done at training

Ideas for content:

• What the players did well
• What needs more work
• Any player feedback to the coach that may be useful for the team
• Person/Persons of the match and more importantly why
• Adhere to the dos and don'ts outlined in the Sideline Report below
• Keep it short and sweet

Sideline Report (by TM, parent or other spectator)
Purpose - generally provide an overview of what happened on the day, highlighting anything of interest. Note that match events and timeline (see highlights tab below) will generally be recorded on the day by the TM giving a live score.

Dos

• Be positive
• Your opinion is valuable, so present it
• Don't be afraid to use some creative writing and style - it's your report
• Honesty is needed in a report, but it is a matter of how it is presented. Do think about what can be learned when writing something honest
• Do add pictures and videos from the match to the website
• If mentioning names (player or volunteer) please use first names only - this is a public website. To differentiate players with the same first name you can use first initial of surname
• It's good to mention excellent play from both teams - try to be balanced

• The referee should be transparent in the game and transparent in a match report. If you must mention the ref then remember they are human and it is not easy to ref kids whose main intent is controlled battery
• You can put scores and other events in your report if you feel it helps the flow, but the full timeline is in the highlight tab, so try not to repeat that
• Do not put full names or personal details in a match report please
• Do not denigrate the opposition - they came to play rugby as well!

• Team Managers or coaches on the day can enter scores, assists, penalties, subs etc. using the Pitchero Manager app. See Pitchero Help
• Coaches should select teams before the fixture (using manager app or using website). This can be published to players and it also allows match events to be assigned to players on the day. I personally find the website easier to use when selecting a team but YMMV.
• When assigning events for your team it is strongly encouraged that you assign the event to a named player as the kids like to see how they've impacted a match

Events you can add using the Manager App, note the bolded items.

• Try
• Penalty Try
• Try Assist - please use this one as much as possible. This is an opportunity to ensure that not just the try scorer is mentioned. Anyone who assisted or supported the try scorer can be used here. A good timeline will have multiple players assisting each try.
• Conversion
• Missed Conversion
• Penalty - this refers to a penalty kick to goal and 3 points will be given
• Missed Penalty - where a penalty kick to goal is missed
• Penalty Kick to Touch
• Tap Penalty - penalty given but team decides to run with it
• Drop Goal
• Missed Drop Goal
• Yellow Card
• Red Card - should be very rarely used in junior games
• Sub Off
• Sub On
• Player of the Match - can be multiple players and reasons why should be in the coaches report