Sports news covers all aspects of the world of sport, from reports on matches to interviews with top sportsmen and women. It is a fast-paced area of journalism, and the ability to write clearly under pressure is vital. Sports journalists must know their audience well, and be able to tailor their content accordingly. For example, a report on the achievements of a team’s star player may be more interesting to die-hard fans than an article on the training regime of a less well-known member of the squad.
Feature stories, which go beyond the basic reporting of facts to explore emotions and motivations, are often the most engaging of all newspaper articles. They can help readers to identify with a sporting hero, and may reveal details of the athlete’s personal life which adds depth to the article. The sports news of a high-profile individual, such as a celebrity, may also be worthy of a full-page story in its own right.
A good sports reporter can convey the sense of awe which sports enthusiasts feel when they watch their idols perform; but they should also be able to criticise performances and pass judgment on the actions of sport administrators, coaches, referees and umpires. They should be able to back up their comments with statistics, if possible; and try to provide a balance in coverage between the most popular sports.