School Report

Journalists source news in a variety of ways including talking to the public, having a bank of contacts in high places and of course press releases.

As a sports reporter weekly press conferences become a staple part of gathering news material for the sports bulletins throughout the day and the dedicated programmes at weekends.

A team of School Report journalists from Year 8 at Coombeshead College had the chance of a lifetime – interviewing members of Torquay United, the team they support.

They had to battle to get their questions heard alongside professional journalists with deadlines to meet!

Here's our school reporters' report!

Footballing dream come true

By Laurent, Matt, Luke, and William.

Meeting Torquay United was a dream come true for four students from Coombeshead College, Newton Abbot.

The amazing experience was organised by Richard Green, sports editor for BBC Radio Devon.

The press pack on the trail of a story

We went to Newton Abbot racecourse, the training ground for Torquay United, and we saw the manager Lubos Kubik and top goal scorer Jamie Ward being interviewed by Richard Green and television and newspaper reporters.

The day before the Press conference we prepared our questions. When it came to actually asking them, we felt nervous but very excited.

First of all we saw Richard interviewing the manager. He was very good, you knew he was a professional as soon as he started.

We were so nervous we didn't ask the manager any questions but we got our courage up when it came to striker Jamie Ward.

He told Luke he had been playing for Torquay United since July, and he told us that he was spotted by a talent scout when he was eight and playing Sunday League football. He was then signed up for Aston Villa.

Laurent asked him what he thought of the new Torquay United manager. He said: "He's great and wants us to play good football."

So what did we think about the Press conference experience? William said: "It was really good and exciting, and I want to do it again!"

Matt said: "The best bit of the whole thing was interviewing Jamie Ward. He looked like a very good player."

Luke added: "It was a great experience meeting Lubos Kubik and Jamie Ward. I'm a football fan and it was great meeting real professionals."

Laurent said: "I've never done anything like it before and it was great seeing a real Press conference."