Victorian Government champions diversity in Sports Broadcasting

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