Change Our Game: Women in Sports Media Program (Australia)

The Change Our Game Women in Sports Media Program is designed to provide women who are interested in sports media the knowledge, skills and industry contacts to progress their career in this industry.

The 2023‑24 Program will offer a Foundation Program. This Foundation Program is designed for individuals either looking to start, or are in the early stages, of a sports media career. This Program will support participants to develop:

• an understanding of the sports media industry and options for career pathways
• practical skills including commentating and calling play-by-play, producing for all media platforms (radio, TV, online and podcasting), pitching and framing stories and storytelling, interview techniques, capturing the play (inc. photography and videography), research and preparation
• clear and individualised goals for future career development
• a network to support individuals in their pursuit of paid employment.

Specifically, the Foundation Program will involve:

• an online introductory session
• a full-day, face-to-face intensive workshop (including practical skills, goal setting and content delivered by industry experts)
• a subsequent one-on-one professional coaching
• alumni support (including connections to industry mentors, participants and ongoing support for employment). Applications from women from targeted or under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

In 2024-25, an Advancing Career Program will be offered, supporting individuals seeking to progress career goals and skills in sports media. The 2024-25 Program will be open to previous graduates of the Change Our Game Women in Sports Broadcasting Program – Introductory Stream, or non-graduates with exceptional relevant experience in sports media and/or sport industry knowledge. More information on this Program will be available in 2024-25.

Objectives of the Program

• The Program aims to:
  • increase awareness of industry structures and the diverse career paths
  • support participants to build the skills and confidence they need to pursue paid sports media roles in the sector
  • build a diverse network of women developing careers within sports media
  • connect program graduates with industry.

Outcomes of the Program

• The Program aims to achieve the following outcomes:
  • increased knowledge of industry structures and diverse career paths, that enable women in sports broadcasting and media
  • more women with skills and confidence in sports media
  • more women in paid sports media roles
  • more industry organisations connecting with women in sports media.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the Program, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  • demonstrate an interest in sports media
  • identify as a woman, including those who are trans, gender diverse or sistergirl
  • be 18 years of age or over
  • live in Victoria.
• The Victorian Government is committed to creating new pathways and opportunities for women and girls from targeted or under-represented cohorts(s) and recognises that some women and girls are affected by more than one form of discrimination and disadvantage. Applications from eligible candidates from targeted or under-represented cohort(s) are strongly encouraged. These cohorts include:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
  • women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
  • women with a disability
  • women from regional and rural communities
  • the LGBTIQA+ community
  • women from low socioeconomic areas

Ineligible

• All individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria are ineligible for the Program.
• The Program is not open to entities other than individuals.
• Previous graduates of the Change Our Game Women in Sports Broadcasting Program are ineligible for the 2023‑24 Program, however may be eligible for the Advanced Career Program to be offered in 2024‑25.

For more information, visit Victorian Government.