Welcome back to another TTTONLF meets, this time we are sitting down with an up and coming journalist who is looking to make her way into sports journalism at just 16 years old!

Lauren is out to prove that ages is just a number by getting some hands on experience in the Non-League world as a match reporter for her local football team.

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Lauren, you’re only 16 and already diving into sports journalism—what first got you hooked on the idea of writing about sport?

I’ve always been good at my writing, in history and English and other subjects too, and I’ve loved my football and sports even more. So the idea of being able to watch what I love and do what I’m good at had me hooked straight away.

Who are your role models in sports journalism—or even just in sport more generally?

In journalism I love Maisie Adam’s, her podcast big kick energy is my favourite! But overall my biggest role model is Lauren hemp, she’s everything I love in a player.

You’re balancing schoolwork and journalism projects—how do you make time for both without losing your sanity?

I think I am slowly loosing sanity. I work two other jobs one with kids and one in a cafe so barely have enough free time! But I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and I spend every bit of my free time making sure I’m having a bit of down time to its max, most of the time I’m watching football though!

Does what you’re studying at school connect in any way with your journalism work, or do they feel like two totally separate worlds?

Right now I’m taking media, English lit and history A-Levels, I know, LOTS of writing, but I chose them to enhance my writing skills and knowledge of media to help me with my work!

Do your teachers and classmates know about your journalism projects? How do they react?

My friends and some of my teachers know about it and are very supportive.

They love reading my work, especially my friend Lucy, she loves asking for early releases

When you’re putting together an article or interview, what’s your process? Are you a planner or more of a “just dive in” type?

Bit of both, I always section out my paragraphs into time or major events before I write them, but other then that, it’s a free for all!

What’s been your favourite piece of work so far—and why?

So far, I loved my Steyning Town FC vs Tonbridge angels match at the Steyning home. Everyone says it’s my best yet, even my friends hairdresser was talking about it! It also made my local newspaper.

Have you had any “pinch me” moments yet, where you couldn’t believe you were getting to do it?

When I released my first article a few months ago onto the Steyning fc website, surreal seeing my name there! 

If you could only cover one team for the rest of your career, which one would you pick?

I would have to go with the England lionesses, they have been my role models since I was little, and I would love to cover a match by them

Do you think being a younger voice in journalism gives you a different perspective compared to older reporters?

I learnt how to write from reading older reporters writing, so I think i go off what I’ve read from them, so I would say it’s pretty similar but I’d love to make it a little more different

If you could interview any athlete—past or present—who would it be, and what’s the one question you’d absolutely have to ask them?

Lauren hemp absolutely! My idol through and through. I’d have to ask her how she trained to become that speedy! It’s crazy!

What’s the toughest part of being a young journalist so far?

I’d say the toughest part is the judgement. Not a lot of people my age are into what I do, so I’m scared I’ll be judged, but the feeling of seeing my report out then cancels it out.

Have you had any moments where something didn’t go as planned, and what did you take away from it?

Luckily not too much yet, but I did accidentally write about a team gaining 3 points in a qualifying game, which isn’t possible! Don’t know why I did that!

What skills are you trying to build right now to get even better at your craft?

Definitely coming up with hooking titles, it’s harder then it looks!

Where do you see yourself in five years—still writing, maybe presenting, or even branching into new media like podcasts or YouTube?

I want to be writing for a big news company, bbc sport or sky sports, and I’d love to have a podcast on woman’s football, just gotta get uni out the way

Sports journalism can be a tough industry—what keeps you motivated to keep pushing forward?

What gets me through is the image of seeing my name or hearing my own voice on a massive sports page or tv show! And knowing I put it in the work for something.

A Tonbridge Too Far

And finally, if another 16-year-old came to you and said, “I want to do what you’re doing”—what advice would you give them?

Just do it!

I started by covering a match randomly for my local team and the club loved it when I went it over, now look where it’s got me!

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This was an amazing interview for me as Lauren epitomises the future generation of football journalism and to be able to shine a light on some of the amazing work she is already doing is special and I am very grateful that Lauren took the time out of her multiple roles to answer my questions.

To be taking on so many roles as well as pursuing her passion in football showcases that Lauren already has the amazing work ethic which is needed to work within this industry and I truly believe that working with the Lionesses shouldn’t be a question of if but when.

Lauren – Keep up the amazing work and go chase those dreams!

Until next time everyone.

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Parks to Pitches (your dedicated Non-League Football Magazine)

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