Insight Sport: Why demand for women’s voices on television must be met
Female voices remain a minority in sport. Where there is a gender gap, there is a power gap.
The faces and voices we see and hear on our sports news play a huge role in accelerating the shift towards more comprehensive sports coverage.
For real change in women’s sport, it’s important that women have a voice to create a moment and set the tone.
But despite the significant advances for women athletes, women’s voices in sport remain a minority. Where there is a gender gap, there is a power gap.
That is why we support more women to go on the air and make their presence in the sports media audible and tangible.
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.
A new study commissioned by Victoria’s Office for Women in Sport and Recreation – the only office of its kind in Australia – found that four in five people involved in sport, including nine in 10 women, think gender inequality in sport is still increasing before is a subject it must be fest.
The study found that two in five women and men have considered leaving community sport because of their club’s culture.
The study found that three out of five people believe men currently have more opportunities to take up managerial positions in sports organizations.
underneath every second man feels like this.
These results are an important reminder as we recognize that International Women’s Day, now more than ever, we have a long way to go.
In a year when the biggest women’s sporting event in the world – the FIFA Women’s World Cup – is coming to our shores, we’ve heard that 91 percent of viewers surveyed would like more female sports commentators. This shows that there is a real and unmet demand for women’s voices on the air.
Changing the game to bring more women into broadcast and media roles requires investment in skills and support.
We support women to break down barriers and be a voice in the sport they love.
Our program has empowered 56 participants whose voices and expertise enhance sports broadcasting and coverage – from AFLW to track and field, baseball to basketball and everything in between.
Graduates of the program have achieved success in a variety of roles. More than 50 participants, including Briohny Dawson, Julia Montesano, Hannah Davies, Erin Delahunty and Hannah Kuhar, have completed the program since 2020 and are making a name for themselves in the 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 and commentated on the A-League Women.
Everyone has a role to play to ensure sport is a truly inclusive and equal place.
Change is coming and the power is in your hands.
Originally published as Insight Sport: Why the need to meet the demand for women’s voices on television