Women in Sport Archives

Anne

5 minutes with: Recently retired NRL women’s star Allana Ferguson

“To get to the point now where girls know we do play rugby league and it’s out there and our games have gotten a little bit of air time and the game’s growing – that in itself is such a huge accomplishment and such a dream come true.” Allana Ferguson is a woman on a mission. As a self-confessed ‘footy head’ this passionate 25-year-old is determined to change the National Rugby League’s landscape for the better. Unfortunately since I first spoke to Ferguson in 2017, her role in the game has switched permanently from playmaker to TV presenter after she…

View Post

Anne

5 minutes with: TV presenter & sports journalist Erin Molan

Erin Molan is not only a bright and bubbly personality with a stunning smile and wicked sense of humour to match, but a true trailblazer and leader for women in sports journalism. The 36-year-old’s passion and pride for her various media roles, most notably as co-host of The NRL Footy Show, was evident from the moment I started picking her brain on all things career at Rebel’s new Chadstone store launch in 2016. With a significant social media following and presence on our TV screens the Sydney-sider was in Melbourne to host the new Rebel store opening. Now a mum of one to baby daughter…

View Post

Anne

Behind the scenes: 2018 AFLX Tournaments

Ah AFLX… the much discussed variation of Australian Rules Football made its long-awaited debut last month in Adelaide. The hybrid game then travelled onto Melbourne before culminating in Sydney in what was a marathon three-day three-tournament series. It was certainly an unusual experience going in completely blind. It’s one thing knowing footy inside out but throw in a rectangular field, silver Sherrins and Zooper goals into the mix and it’s a whole different story. No one really knew what to expect! Call me bias but I like it. It has a place in the pre-season and I can see the…

View Post

Anne

5 minutes with: TV presenter & AFLW player Abbey Holmes

“I had to pinch myself a few times looking around and going, it’s just amazing because they’re here for us” – Abbey Holmes. To say the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s Competition was been a success would simply be an understatement. The eight-team league exceeded all expectations as it captured the heart and imagination of people of all ages Australia-wide. From their infectious enthusiasm to their dedication and never-say-die attitude, these women are true pioneers for not only females in football but for women in sport. Abbey Holmes grew up in a typical footy-loving household, and like so many girls she pursued…

View Post

Anne

5 minutes with: Collingwood Magpies Netball captain Madi Robinson

I caught up with Australian netballer Madi Robinson at the end of the 2017 Suncorp Netball season. – As the Collingwood Magpies Netball season comes to a close, following a nail biting one-goal loss to the Giants in the Suncorp Super Netball minor semi-final, captain Madi Robinson should be nothing short of proud of her achievements. The 29-year-old joined Australia’s largest sporting club as part of a new look national netball competition at the start of 2017. It was a big move for the former Melbourne Vixen and one into unchartered territory as two AFL clubs, Collingwood and the GWS Giants,…

View Post

Anne

5 minutes with with: Melbourne AFLW player Cat Phillips

From Ultimate Frisbee to football, Cat Phillips’ pathway to playing in the NAB AFL Women’s Competition has been nothing short of remarkable. The 26-year-old was just one of a number of female athletes who jumped on the code-switching journey with exceptional success. As a six-time Australian Ultimate Frisbee representative Phillips’ pace and endurance was perfectly suited to a career in football. The midfielder regularly impressed at AFLW level as she found a penchant for getting fans on their feet kicking quick-running goals. I caught up with the Melbourne Football Club product in 2017 to learn more about how she found footy, her life outside of the…

View Post

Anne

Behind the scenes: 2017 AFL Women’s Competition

Life changing. How else do you describe the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s Competition? Especially for women and girls Australia wide. What once started out as a pipe dream became a long-awaited reality when Carlton and Collingwood took to a packed Princes Park on Friday February 3, 2017. From there the first women’s season continued to smash all expectations, before culminating in a thrilling grand final finish on the Gold Coast. Since then we’ve seen a Best & Fairest crowned and the first women’s State of Origin match. I was closely involved in covering AFLW’s inception through my social media role…

View Post

Anne

WBBL player profile: Nat Sciver

Nat Sciver made her return to the WBBL for the 2016 season, after a successful stint with the Melbourne Stars the previous summer. The all-rounder not only laid claim to the title of the Stars’ equal leading wicket-taker then, with 18 alongside Morna Nielsen, but also completed her campaign with 154 runs. Away from the pitch Nat’s passion for food shines through with the England representative naming starters, mains AND desserts as her top three favourite foods. I can’t fault that! I caught up with Nat ahead of the 2016 Women’s Big Bash League. A quick single with Nat Sciver Nickname: Sciv Favourite…

View Post

Anne

WBBL player profile: Danni Wyatt

It’s not hard to see why Danni Wyatt has a soft spot for the home of her WBBL team, the Melbourne Renegades. Hailing from Stoke-on-Trent in England the 27-year-old has previously spent some summers Down Under playing for Victoria’s elite women’s cricket team, before joining the WBBL last year in its inaugural season. From runs along the Yarra, savouring brunch with a coffee, beach walks and a spot of shopping Danni has definitely got the whole Melbourne thing down-pat. I caught up with Danni ahead of the 2016 Women’s Big Bash League. A quick single with Danni Wyatt Nickname: Waggy Best thing…

View Post