A Matildas legend and an AFLW premiership star are among the participants of a landmark program fostering a new generation of women sports broadcasters. Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced an intake of 15 participants for the Change Our Game Women in Sports Broadcasting program– an initiative to extend advances being made in equality on the field of play to the commentary box.
“Over the past decade we’ve seen an explosion in women’s sport with increased participation at the local level, more opportunities in professional sport and increased media coverage.” Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence commented “The Change Our Game Women in Sports Broadcasting program is making sure that the growth for women in sport is happening in the commentary box as well.”
“Supporting more women to achieve their goals of being on screen and behind the microphone will help ensure women’s voices are heard and respected in one of the most visible elements of the sports sector.” Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Director Sarah Styles commented.




Minister Spence explained that the women dedicated to building a career in front of a microphone include former Matildas goalkeeper and captain Melissa Barbieri, who at 41 is still part of Melbourne City’s W-League squad, and Melbourne’s AFLW All-Australian defender Libby Birch, who won a flag playing for the Western Bulldogs. International lawn bowler Carla Krizanic and former national baseball team member Amy McCann were also successful applicants, along with other athletes, officials, journalists, podcasters, presenters and a physiotherapist.
“Supporting more women to achieve their goals of being on screen and behind the microphone will help ensure women’s voices are heard and respected in one of the most visible elements of the sports sector.” Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Director Sarah Styles commented.
“The pilot program quite literally changed my life. It made the world of sport — specifically footy — broadcasting more than just a pipe dream, but a realistic career opportunity.” program participant Gemma Bastiani commented.
Minister Spence said that the Women in Sports Broadcasting program was successfully piloted last year by the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation to address gender diversity in sports broadcasting. The program is led by award-winning broadcasters Emma Race and Lucy Race from The Outer Sanctum. The Minister added that instructors will use a personalised approach to teach the participants about broadcast skills including research and preparation, play-by-play, delivering courtside and ground updates, presenting opinion and job seeking.
Minister Spence explained that the Andrews Labor Government led Australia in creating the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation in 2017, and its Change Our Game initiatives level the playing field for women and girls across the state, in every aspect of sport and recreation.