Insight Sport: Why demand for women’s voices on television must be met
Women’s voices remain a minority when it comes to sport. Where there is a gender gap, there is a power gap.
Insight
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The faces and voices we see and hear delivering our sporting news play a huge role in accelerating change towards more inclusive sports coverage.
For real change to occur in women’s sport it is vital women have a voice to shape a moment and set the tone.
Yet, despite the significant gains made for women athletes, women’s voices remain a minority when it comes to sport. Where there is a gender gap, there is a power gap.
That’s why we’re backing more women to get on-air and make their presence heard and felt in sports media.
Our Change Our Game Women in Sport Broadcasting Program aims to have more women in sports news and commentary roles, both in front of and behind the camera.
New research commissioned by Victoria’s Office for Women in Sport and recreation – the only office of its kind in Australia – found four in five people involved in sport, including nine in 10 women, agree that gender inequality remains an issue in sport that needs to be fixed.
The research found two in five women and men have considered leaving community sport because of the culture of their club.
The study showed three in five people believe men currently have more opportunities to hold senior leadership roles in the administration of sporting organisations,
including one in two men feeling that way.
These findings are a vital reminder as we recognise International Women’s Day that now, more than ever, there is still a way to go.
In a year when the world’s biggest women’s sporting event – the FIFA Women’s World Cup — is coming to our shores, we heard that 91 per cent of spectators surveyed want more women sport commentators. This shows there is a real and unmet demand for women’s voices on air.
Changing the game to get more women into broadcasting and media roles requires investing in skills and support.
We’re backing women to overcome barriers and be a voice of the sport they love.
Our program has supported 56 participants whose voices and expertise are enhancing sports broadcasting and reporting — from AFLW to athletics, baseball to basketball, and everything in between.
Program graduates have been successful in a variety of roles. More than 50 participants, including Briohny Dawson, Julia Montesano, Hannah Davies, Erin Delahunty, and Hannah Kuhar have graduated from the program since 2020 and are making their mark in sports media.
Pokuah Frimpong participated in the 2021-22 program and hosts a podcast called Radio Dub which interviews A-League Women’s players and discusses the league.
Pokuah has also worked for Network 10 and Paramount Plus commentating on the A-League Women.
Everyone has a role to play in ensuring sport is a truly inclusive and equal place.
Change is coming, and the power is in your hands.
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