AusLeisure

The Victorian Government has today announced that 15 women will take part in the next round of the Change Our Game Women in Sports Broadcasting Program.

The State Government is backing diversity in the commentary box, supporting women with disability and women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to get behind the mic in sports media.

As part of the program the women will receive hands-on training to build their skills, including research and preparation, play-by-play, delivering courtside and ground updates, presenting opinion pieces, and networking.

It is designed to provide those interested in sports broadcasting the opportunity to further their skills and develop industry connections.

Successful applicants in this round include four-time Olympian Mogul Skier Britt Cox, track and field athlete Nana Owusu-Afriyie and Deputy Chair of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Jenny Taing. The group of 15 includes eight women from CALD backgrounds and four with disability.

The course, led by Emma Race and Lucy Race of Making the Call, begins in May and will include sessions to help participants identify their area of interest and set clear and concise goals to progress their broadcasting career.

This latest round of the program follows a successful pilot delivered in November 2020, from which many of the graduates have moved into a range of industry roles across a variety of sports.

The Change our Game initiative is delivered through the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation established in 2017.

Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence notes “Women and girls have been making a massive statement in sport in recent years both on and off the sporting field.

“You can’t be what you can’t see and that’s why we’re supporting these women to make their mark in sports media.“

Successful Making the Call applicant Jenny Taking adds “It’s important what we see on our screens and in sports media reflects the diversity of the community and fan base of sport.

“While there’s been some progress, there is a lot more to do and this program plays an important role in addressing this.”

AFLW Managing Editor and Making the Call mentor Nat Edwards advises “I had some incredible mentors help me along the way, but they were all men – wonderful, supportive men but nonetheless I would have loved a female mentor.

For more information about the program visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au.

Image courtesy Change our Game 

Related Articles

18th March 2022 - AusCycling launches Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group

28th February 2022 - WIFA and Sport Alliance invite input to global survey on gender diversity and equity in the fitness industry

30th November 2019 - AIS and Sport Australia look to increase leadership depth and diversity in sport

10th July 2019 - Recreation Aotearoa funding promotes diversity and inclusion in Outdoor Recreation

30th May 2019 - Belgravia Leisure staff recognised at national inclusion and diversity awards

7th March 2019 - Leadership programs launched to challenge gender diversity in Australian sport

9th November 2018 - Sport Australia and the AIS announce new Talent Program to address leadership diversity in sport

23rd May 2018 - Adecco continues to encourage diversity on Global Sports and Inclusion Day

28th February 2018 - Speedo partners with Team Sydney to celebrate evolution, diversity and inclusion

19th July 2017 - AFL club St Kilda affirms commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion

13th September 2016 - New Forum to explore inclusion and diversity in sport

21st March 2014 - Government and AFL partner to show Victorian students the power of diversity

21st August 2012 - Board diversity a key to sport management and funding

5th April 2011 - Fair go, Sport! program to promote diversity

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.