Seven Sport and House Rules presenter Abbey Way: ‘I can’t believe it’
As a teenager Abbey Way had plans to become a lawyer because a career in sport was ‘unrealistic’. In 2020, she’s presenting alongside her sporting idols but the journey to stardom hasn’t been easy.
Lifestyle
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When Abbey was a little girl, sunshine flooded her soul when she kicked a ball with her brother, pivoted on a netball court, watched her sporting idols on TV and read novels for hours on end.
She loved sport and studying, but it was also an escape from bullying in her early years.
As a teenager Abbey Way (nee Gelmi) had plans to become a lawyer, never dreaming of a seemingly well suited career in sports journalism because she says it was considered a man’s game.
“I never thought it could or would be a reality for me, particularly living in Perth,” the now accomplished Seven sports presenter says.
“I wish I could tell you I wanted to be a sports journalist since the age of 10.
“But I didn’t think sport or the media scene was where I could make a profession because there weren’t any female presenters or commentators on the screens when I was growing up.”
Abbey now is a presenter for Seven’s coverage of the AFL, horse racing and Big Bash League. She is also the new co-host on reality home renovation show House Rules with lifestyle TV veteran Jamie Durie.
“I wish I could tell my 10-year-old self watching the Boxing Day cricket with her dad what I am doing now right now,” the 29-year-old laughs.
“It is really lovely to know for the next generation of young girls they can see such a presence of women on their screens.
“They should grow up thinking it’s something they can do too if they are passionate and dedicated.”
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In high school, Abbey describes herself as a nerd, gravitating to law because it sounded intelligent and impressive.
“But in Year 12 I panicked (because I thought) it could be boring,” she says.
“My career advisor said because I had a deep voice I should do journalism.
“At the eleventh hour I switched my preferences to journalism and thankfully, because I had good grades, I got an academic scholarship to study at Curtin University.”
After graduating with a double degree in journalism and public relations in 2011, she completed a year of intensive broadcast training at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Soon after, Abbey packed up her life and moved to Sydney to intern with Fox Sports.
It didn’t take her long to land a gig as breakfast newsreader at Fox Sports News, where she covered breaking sports news nationally from the 24-hour newsdesk.
“The first time I read the news I was so nervous,” she says.
“When I landed a job at Seven – it was a big jump.
“The first time I did a Big Bash game with Seven I hosted the opener with Ricky Ponting.
“I remember standing next to Ricky and pinching myself.
“I grew up watching him playing cricket and then all of a sudden it was the two us in front of a camera. I couldn’t believe it.
“Big Bash was a dream and now I am doing it, which blows my mind. It really is as fun as it looks.”
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Abbey says she relishes rubbing shoulders with the best Australian sportspeople and commentators.
“When I am on a broadcast with sports commentator Bruce McAvaney it’s a real pinch-me moment,” she says.
“He honestly is incredible. When you get these opportunities you have to take a moment to take it in because it’s something pretty special.”
Abbey still gets nervous in that moment before the camera starts rolling.
“(That) is the best thing,” she says.
“Every time you do something new, it’s a challenge. You know you are alive when you are a bit nervous.
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“I always try to strive to be myself and have fun. I hope that comes across to everyone at home.
“With cricket I am so lucky some of the players have become my mates.
“I also really enjoy horse racing, it is honestly so much fun. I was looking forward to the AFL but it’s on hold for a while.”
Before social distancing laws clamped down on Australian sport, Abbey had a hectic schedule commentating with Seven.
She was hardly home, lived out of a suitcase and always in the air flying to her next gig.
While no longer running around on a sports field or a House Rules renovation site, she is still keeping busy at home.
Abbey says isolating from coronavirus and spending more time on the couch has been a struggle but also an opportunity reflect on her achievements and the future.
She says the best is yet to come, including hosting Olympics coverage in July 2021.
“The past 18 months have been unbelievable but covering the Olympics is on whole different level,” she says.
“Getting the opportunity to host with Seven is something I am so proud of and I am looking forward to it because it’s going to be a career milestone.
“I am glad they have shifted the dates of Tokyo and it is something to look forward to. “Internationally we are all going to be looking for something to lift our spirits and sport certainly does that. I am counting down the days.”
Abbey says she has a new-found love and respect for what the Olympics brings after reading about her ‘Pa’.
Her grandfather on her mother’s side is Australian Olympian and champion middle distance runner Herb Elliott.
In 42 races from 1957 to 1961, the Olympic-gold medal winning athlete was never beaten over 1500m.
“Pa didn’t talk a lot about his career when we were growing up,” Abbey says.
“But when I are aware of what he did achieve, it blows my mind.
When I ask her whether her grandfather is proud of her career path, Abbey laughs.
“He is gorgeous and I think Pa would be proud of me if I was a garbo or a sports journalist,” she giggles.
“He only wishes for me to be happy and live a good little life. He is a really beautiful man.”
Another cheerleader in Abbey’s corner is her husband and best friend Ben Way. The pair met at Fox Sports before Ben moved to Sky Racing.
After dating for almost four years, they tied the knot at an Adelaide Hills winery in November.
With social distancing on the cards for a while, Abbey says she is enjoying a glass of wine and watching House Rules much like the rest of us.
Abbey, who co-hosts the show with Jamie Durie, says she finished filming on the Gold Coast a couple of months ago but now looks forward to seeing how it all pans out.
“Travelling around the country, hanging out with the contestants, seeing their homes and lives transform each week was an amazing experience,” she says.
“The show taught me a lot too – it gave me good inspiration for my apartment.
“My house rules change every day but I will always love old European libraries with a story to tell.”
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Abbey says she will always love libraries as they were a haven for her in primary school.
“Reading in the library was something I really enjoyed as a kid,” she says.
“I was bullied in primary school and when it was tough books helped me to get through the day.
“Even now it’s the first thing I will go to when things are a little tough. When I read I am more balanced and happy.”
She recently started posting about her favourite books on her Instagram account.
Abbey and her followers forged the Imaginary Book Club to chat about books and exchange recommendations.
The TV presenter’s book of the month is The Resilience Project by Hugh van Cuylenburg.
“Hugh’s story about gratitude, empathy and mindfulness is something we can all practice during COVID-19," she says.
House Rules: High Stakes continues Sunday 7pm and Monday 7.30pm on Channel 7.
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