News Corp / Sky News / Fox Sports, Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
News Corp, Sky News and Fox Sports took an innovative multi-platform and whole-of-company approach to covering Australia’s most successful Olympics in Paris. A team of 45 journalists and experts delivered multiple exclusives and deep insights in the gender and political firestorm surrounding an Algerian boxer and broke news of hockey player Tom Craig’s arrest. The insightful and impactful coverage, combined with original and creative flair, was distributed across multiple platforms simultaneously.  This included metro tabloid, broadsheet and regional mastheads, online platforms, digital print editions, social media, video packages, bespoke newsletters, the daily Matty & the Missile Podcast featuring Matty Johns and James Magnussen, and lifestyle channels culminating in 119 million page views on its digital print editions.

Nine Network, Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Nine’s coverage of the Olympic and Paralympics set a new benchmark for sports broadcasting. Weaving storytelling throughout the broadcast, viewers experienced immersive, personal stories of athletes – many filmed months before qualifying events and ending with emotional scenes with family members at venues. The result was a country united in pride and a deeper understanding of what sacrifices are needed to reach the pinnacle of world sport. With 5000 hours screened across the Nine Network, the Olympics captivated 19.5 million viewers and the Paralympics reached 8.7 million viewers, inspiring a nation and encouraging the 20 per cent of Australians living with a disability to get involved in sport.

Finalists

Optus Sport, UEFA EURO 2024
Optus Sport kept Aussies connected, informed and engaged with UEFA EURO 2024, producing and broadcasting more than 150 live hours of coverage across 51 matches. Its platform featured multiple ‘on-demand video’ options, with over 1000 pieces of content delivered and four million article reads across the period. Bespoke content posted online also saw Optus record over half a billion video views – driving social followers up by 2.5 million during the overnight football tournament. Regardless of when people tuned in, Optus was there to join fans, celebrate their rich cultural heritage and experience an outpouring of pride as teams took to the pitch.

Sydney Morning Herald / The Age, Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age delivered essential reading for those wanting to keep up to date with Paris 2024, providing comprehensive coverage of the triumphs and disappointments that unfolded overnight, exclusive news, high-quality analysis and unique visual storytelling. The Faster, Higher, Stronger series showed how three track and field events had progressed in the 100 years since Paris hosted the Games, while 3D animations helped illustrate the technical and athletic prowess behind three iconic events. Once in Paris, the team captured the big on-field moments with stunning writing and quality expert analysis, while teams in Paris and Australia kept readers up to date with 24/7 news via a live blog.

Elizabeth Wright, ABC Sport

Elizabeth Wright is committed to elevating sport for people with disability and, as a Paralympian herself, has unique insights and valuable lived experience that she brings to her storytelling. Her broadcast work includes profiles of women athletes at all levels of sport, explorations of the challenges faced by lower-funded disability sports, coverage of programs which encourage inclusivity, and stories focused on getting more women with disability into leadership roles. Her written work includes a feature examining the contributions of pioneering women athletes throughout Australian Paralympic history, insightful analysis pieces during the Paris Paralympics, and stories from the community level.

Highly Commended

Zachary Gates, Wide World of Sports  - The power of the Paralympics (Rising Star nominee)

Zachary Gates provided extensive coverage for Nine.com.au in the lead-up to and during the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Prior to the Games, Gates shed light on the jarring attitudes some people have regarding “invisible” disability, explored the Paralympic movement’s classification dilemma through an exclusive interview with Vanessa Low and provided an in-depth feature on cyclist Emily Petricola. On the ground in Paris, Gates reported trackside on Jaryd Clifford’s heartbreaking stripping of bronze, Low’s gold-winning long jump performance and profiled the two spiritual leaders of the Australian swimming team, Ahmed Kelly and Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson.

Finalists

Charles Brice, ABC Sport

On the ground for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Charles Brice provided exceptional coverage showcasing not only the incredible athletic performances but also the inspiring stories of athletes. Through numerous live crosses for the ABC’s national television and radio programs and news articles, Brice elevated the visibility of the Paralympic Games and bridged the gap between the athletes and the audience. His engaging commentary and insightful interviews captured the emotions and triumphs of competitors and his efforts to cover every nuance of the events created a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Games.

SBS, IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships

SBS Australia provided comprehensive live coverage of the 2023 International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) Asia-Oceania Championships, streaming all 19 matches and showcasing the first ever joint men’s and women’s Para Asian Cup. SBS’s coverage captured the on-field action and the powerful stories of resilience and achievement behind each match. With a dedicated team on the ground, including emerging commentator Oliver Walker-Peel, who has cerebral palsy himself, SBS connected audiences to the triumphs and challenges of athletes living with disabilities and highlighted memorable moments, including the ParaMatildas’ victory and David Barber becoming the most-capped player of Australia’s senior men’s team.

Victorian Institute of Sport, The quest for Paris – Col Pearse

In 2024, the Victorian Institute of Sport presented Olympic and Paralympic docuseries The Quest for Paris. Part two of the series featured Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse as he strived to turn his Tokyo 2020 bronze medal into a gold in Paris. Through three 20-minute episodes, the documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at high performance sport and follows Pearse as he goes through the highs and lows of life and Paralympic qualification, allowing the audience to see the personal side of the lengthy process and the drive, motivation and support it takes to reach the very top.

Came From Nowhere: Australia’s Most Controversial Football Club, SBS

Came From Nowhere investigated the controversial origins of the Western Sydney Wanderers. It’s the story of how a team of cast-offs and ‘reject’ players ultimately awoke a fan base and drew the ire of the media and police alike, only to claim a seemingly impossible prize on the world stage. The film goes to the heart of multiculturalism in Australia and the uncomfortable tension that lies between celebrating diverse communities and deriding them when they don’t conform. But it also shows the power of football in shaping a community’s sense of identity.

Finalists

Beyond the Dream: Forged in Steel, Nine Network / Paralympics Australia / Good Shout

Beyond The Dream: Forged In Steel provides unprecedented access to the Australian Steelers Wheelchair Rugby Team as they deal with raw emotions, intense competition and personal sacrifices to fight for their Paralympic dreams. Co-produced by Nine’s Wide World of Sports, Paralympics Australia and independent studio Good Shout, the documentary crew embedded with the Steelers (and their loved ones) in their homes and non-sporting workplaces, as well as their high performance environments in the lead-up to Paris 2024. It was a groundbreaking documentary for Paralympic sport, providing a unique insight into the lives of elite athletes with a disability.

GO BIG: The story of the Canberra Capitals, LGR Productions / Studio 94

GO BIG uncovers the legacy of Australia’s most successful women’s basketball program as they pursue their first-ever three-peat amidst a global pandemic. Starring and executive-produced by basketball icon Lauren Jackson, GO BIG offers an exclusive, all-access look at the Capitals’ journey through the 2020 WNBL hub season while showcasing the team’s historical off-court achievements, including Jackson’s $1,000,000 contract – a groundbreaking milestone marked by injury and a personal journey through recovery and mental health. It’s a powerful call to action for fully professional opportunities in women’s sports, celebrating resilience, ambition and inclusivity.

The Greatest Little Club on Earth, Onion TV / Paramount + Originals

Against the backdrop of the current resurgence of the Central Coast, this documentary navigates the treacherous rise, subsequent falls and present-day rejuvenation of the Mariners. From the little club that could, to the team that did, and the darker periods in between, the boardroom becomes the battlefield as new ownership empowers the club to regain its glorious past, as well as writing its own narrative for a successful future. The decision to track the club’s journey over two years provides a more cerebral and in-depth perspective, while the documentary team experienced league-winning success three times in a row - an unprecedented stroke of luck.

The Final Word Cricket Podcast, Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins

The Final Word covers cricket with depth and breadth like no other, publishing over 250 episodes from seven countries and across three World Cups. The flagship weekly issues-based show continues to tackle complex areas, challenging how the game is administered in Australia and beyond. But it’s not all serious – their weekend history show gives hosts Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins the freedom to dig into the game’s rich past. The Final Word prides itself on its diversity – from Tests through to Vanuatu’s women, or the phantom games scandal in France, while sensitive topics like the Taliban’s ban on women’s sport and mental health are discussed often and openly, but with the respectful tone they require.

Finalists

ABC Sport Daily, Patrick Stack / ABC Sport

The Olympic period was a highlight for the ABC Sport Daily podcast as blanket coverage of the Paris Games resulted in a record month of ratings for August, with 288,000 listeners and more than half a million downloads.  It was telling that when the biggest event in world sport was on, audiences turned to ABC Sport in droves. Driving that interest was a consistent serving of quality as executive producer and host Patrick Stack and producer and fill-in host Poppy Penny spoke to a mix of athletes, stakeholders, famed broadcasters, Olympic legends and on-ground reporters. Beyond the Olympics, the team has driven the national sports conversation with stories that take listeners beyond the headlines in a diverse and unique offering.

The Female Athlete Project, Chloe Dalton (Rising Star nominee)

Launched in 2020 by Olympic gold medalist Chloe Dalton, The Female Athlete Project (TFAP) spotlights the stories and achievements of women in sport. As the fastest-growing women’s sport platform in the country, TFAP works tirelessly to grow the profile of athletes, administrators and everyone who helps to make women’s sport in Australia great. Each podcast episode focuses on one of these incredible people and in the process, helps advocate for greater visibility, respect and investment in women’s sport. Whether it’s across its 250k+ social following, twice weekly podcasts, fan-favourite newsletter or merchandise and books, TFAP engages with a community that recognises the power of sport in changing the world.

The Howie Games, Mark Howard / Listnr

The Howie Games is Australia’s leading sports podcast, drawing an impressive 220,000 unique listeners every month and captivating sports fans with intimate conversations led by Mark ‘Howie’ Howard.  This year’s guests included former Boomers coach Brian Goorjian, legendary horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, cricketer Meg Lanning, former Socceroos coach Graham Arthur and Olympian Susie O’Neill. Through his thoughtful, long-form conversations, Howie uncovers pivotal, often raw moments that resonate deeply with listeners. With an authentic approach, The Howie Games inspires and captivates, solidifying its unique place in Australian sports media and offering fans a podcast experience that celebrates the extraordinary lives and stories behind the athletes.

Sportish, Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett (Rising Star nominee)

Sportish is a weekly podcast that seeks to find the intersection between sport and popular culture and in doing so, remove barriers that stop people engaging in sport - whether as a participant or as a fan. The mission of hosts and sisters-in-law Georgie and Libby Trickett is to help more Aussies - especially women and teen girls - feel curious about and included in sport. Sportish gives women who don’t feel like they have a right to talk about sport the confidence and space to have all kinds of sports conversations. Their episodes are diverse and celebrate grassroots sport and sportsmanship as much as inspiring elite level performances.

Julian Linden, News Corp ‘China's secret doping cover-up’

Julien Linden blew the lid on one of the biggest stories leading into the Paris Olympic Games, when he broke a worldwide exclusive revealing 23 Chinese swimmers were secretly let off despite testing positive to a banned performance-enhancing drug before the Tokyo Games in 2021. As a result, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) came under intense criticism for not challenging China’s explanation that the positive tests were caused by accidental ‘contamination’. German broadcaster ARD and The New York Times both followed with major investigations and the controversy became one of the biggest flashpoints of the entire Games, as well as dominating discussion in and around the Olympic pool.

Highly Commended

Michael Warner, News Corp ‘White Line Fever’

Rampant illicit drug use in the AFL - facilitated by a secret ‘off-the-books’ testing regime which had been operating for more than a decade - was exposed in a powerful series of reports by the Herald Sun’s Michael Warner, triggering a Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) investigation and the dismantling of the league’s controversial three strikes policy. Warner revealed Melbourne star Joel Smith had been charged with cocaine trafficking, before the father of Harley Balic, who died of a drug overdose in 2022, broke his silence to reveal he blamed the AFL for the tragedy. Federal MP Andrew Wilkie detailed the revelations in parliament, leading to a damning SIA report calling for an immediate overhaul of the AFL drugs policy.

Finalists

Brittany Carter, ABC ‘Queensland Firebirds Club Cultural Issue’

Netball expert Brittany Carter was able to draw on a decade of experience covering the sport when drama engulfed the Queensland Firebirds in 2024. The Brisbane-based Super Netball team parted ways with coach Bec Bulley midway through their season, was accused of failing to protect indigenous player Donnell Wallam from receiving a racist letter and criticised for cultural issues inside the club. Carter’s trusted relationship with athletes and sources within the sport allowed exclusive insights into the strained relationships behind the scenes and a created a series of compelling stories on the unfolding events.

Chris Reason, Seven News ‘China's doping challenge’

Swimming found itself amid fresh controversy on the eve of the Paris Olympics with blockbuster reports showing 11 of the 23 swimmers engulfed in the TMZ doping scandal would be racing at the Games. It was global news but few in the western media had been able to put the allegations to the swimmers and Chinese team until Seven News Chief Reporter Chris Reason tracked down the secret training camp in northern France. He not only talked with Chinese team officials but also secured the first pictures and on-camera comments from Denis Cotterell, the Australian coach working with the Chinese squad. Reason also put the issue directly to Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei in Paris, with her articulate and defensive comments aired worldwide.

Surfing Australia, 2024 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle

The grassroots spirt of surfing in Australia was captured in the live broadcast the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle produced by Surfing Australia Studios. Through affable commentary, frenetic pacing and loads of action the true essence of this grassroots, national club event – which bucked the traditional solo format of surfing – was brought to life and a new favourite of both surf and sports fans on Fox Sports and Kayo emerged. Overall, the event received 3.8 million views across the live coverage and digital channels.

Finalists

Australian Olympic Committee, #AllezAus digital engagement fan campaign

The AOC’s official campaign for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, AllezAus reached over 600 million users globally, with 57,000 pieces of content created between August 2023 and August 2024. Launching exactly one year prior to the Games getting underway, the campaign included a broad range of content, delivered across @AUSOlympicTeam channels, in schools and in the community. The campaign’s inclusive structure meant all Olympic fans and stakeholders could easily get on board, boosting awareness of the stories of Australian athletes across various media channels.

Bowls Australia

In 2024, Bowls Australia live-streamed 268 hours and 29 minutes of matches with their Rinkside Live coverage taking fans deep into each national event. The broadcast coverage was supported in the written word with 180 news articles covering players, events, clubs, incentives, programs and charities published on their website. Bowls Australia also rose to the occasion of the Bowls Premier League and the Australian Open finals to provide televised broadcasts and maintained continued coverage through The Bowls Show on Fox Sports and Kayo, Without Biason 1116SEN radio, their official podcast The Right Line and their social media channels.

Richmond Football Club, Dustin Martin’s 300th AFL game

When a member of your club's royal family reaches a significant milestone, you roll out the red carpet. And the Richmond Football Club’s digital team did exactly that to recognise Dustin Martin’s 300^th AFL game. From the full-length documentary Don’t Argueand innovative photo shoots with the famous number four and fellow club legends, to rolling out 3D animations and an augmented reality filter which allowed fans to walk alongside Dusty, no stone was left unturned. With thousands engaged online, the team surely played their part in attracting 92,311 fans to the MCG for the milestone game.

James Gardiner, Newcastle Herald ‘Newcastle Jets - a turbulent year for Newcastle’s flagship football side’

The future of the Newcastle Jets in the A-League dominated headlines in the Newcastle Herald. With the club being bankrolled by the owners of four rival teams who closely guarded information relating to the future ownership, James Gardiner demonstrated his investigative skills to produce a series of exclusive articles that were followed up nationally by other media outlets. As well as breaking news, Gardiner reported on the impact the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future had on the players, staff and football in the region. Alongside his reporting on the ownership saga, Gardiner provided match reports, profiles and features.

Highly Commended

Jeremy Story Carter, ABC ‘Wahgunyah, undefeated’

Wahgunyah, undefeated captures the guts and heart of rural sport and celebrates the community that sits underneath every defiant effort. Having not won a match in over 1,000 days, Wahgunyah’s seniors football team became an online laughingstock, garnering national attention for its scarcely believable losses. Behind the social media jokes lay real pain and a club left to question its very survival. Jeremy Story Carter’s visually rich, well researched feature documents how the club turned inward to fortify its future, in the process making real choices about the sort of community it wanted to be – one that was more inclusive and truer to its own values.

Finalists

Josh Partridge, The Examiner

Josh Partridge's body of work encapsulates what regional journalism is all about - telling readers what they want to know, sharing people’s stories, and putting smiles on faces. His pieces feature several exclusive new stories, including a cricket side’s disqualification from a grand final, a story of state significance on two of Tasmania’s most-successful football teams pursuing a breakaway league, and a junior club folding. Also included is a feature obituary and lighter pieces covering the Tasmania Devils’ naming battle with Warner Bros and profile on the Whitemore Cricket Club which is thriving against all odds.

Lillian Rangiah, ABC ‘Remote sport trials and triumphs’ (Rising Star nominee)

Lillian Rangiah travelled to north-east Arnhem Land with the hopes of interviewing players and elders from the Djarrak football club, who were grieving the loss of three teammates the previous year. It wasn’t until she had spent three evenings at training that they trusted her to tell the full story of their loss in a nuanced, culturally sensitive way. Over two weeks embedded in the remote town of Nhulunbuy, Rangiah also shed light on the unequal playing field on which young dance performers from the regions compete and documented the efforts of remote Aboriginal women to combat ongoing discrimination in sport.

Kirby Short, Cricket Australia ‘It comes in waves, the fall and rise of Josie Dooley’
The details surrounding the devastating medical episode cricketer Josie Dooley endured in Hawaii earlier this year had been a closely guarded secret by her family. Conscious of their daughter’s precarious situation and the need for her energy to be focused on the long and difficult recovery from a rare neurological disorder, the Dooley family eventually entrusted Josie’s former teammate and close friend, Kirby Short, to tell the story. In this piece Short provides a compelling recount rich with detail and displays a remarkable thoroughness and a natural aptitude in her first published written profile.

Finalists

Emma Kemp, Sydney Morning Herald ‘Cassiel Rousseau is going for Olympic gold (well, sort of)’
Australian diver Cassiel Rousseau has been described as the quintessential onion: he has layers, and they are still peeling off several years after the childhood acrobat took up the sport. The person beneath the mullet and tattoos is explored by Emma Kemp who reveals Rousseau, an introvert who enjoys performing and once made the grand final of Australia’s Got Talent, is afraid of heights despite being a world champion on the 10-metre diving platform. The unexpected twists continue as Kemp, who spoke to Rousseau in the lead up to the Paris Olympics, discovers he doesn’t care very much about winning.

Jordan Baker, Sydney Morning Herald ‘I’m sorry, I think I might have just ruined our lives’
While the likes of Jessica Fox and Arisa Trew were rightfully widely celebrated for their podium-topping efforts at the Paris Olympics, one of the biggest stars to emerge from Team Australia was Anna Meares. Smart, experienced, empathetic and confident, Meares proved to be one of the best chef de missions Australia has had. Jordan Baker’s profile piece delves into Meares' own Olympic journey, her decision to take on the role of chef de mission, and the immense challenge of balancing her responsibilities with a young family while pursuing what she describes as her 'dream job'.

Will Swanton, The Australian ‘Lex’
Will Swanton’s unconventional profile on Paralympic champion Alexa Leary unfolds in the birthplace of many great yarns – the pub. This isn’t a typical bar-side tall tale, however, as Swanton gets the full story of Leary’s journey from a near-fatal cycling accident that left her with a significant brain injury to gold medalist. The raw account comes from Leary’s dad, Russ, who reveals all in the immediate hours after his daughter claimed victory in the pool. Russ profiles ‘Lex’ in a way no-one else can in a piece which makes you see the darling of Australia’s Paralympics team, and the Paralympics themselves, in a new light.

That Pacific Sports Show, ABC ‘Inclusivity across the islands’

That Pacific Sports Show shares inspiring stories and sporting prowess of athletes with Pacific Island heritage, from Australia and around the world. Throughout the islands, sport is a shared language where it’s possible to initiate conversations about complex social issues. The show highlighted the Grass Skirt program in Papua New Guinea, which educates on domestic violence. The Healthy Nana’s program empowers women in remote villages by providing access to sport and education, while The Rainbow Games provides safe spaces and competition to our Pacific LGBTQIA+ communities. The passion for sport in the Pacific is also found in the Pasifika communities of Australia.

Finalists

Daniel Cencic, Herald Sun ‘A deaf ruckman, a brother’s love and the footy story of the year’

Daniel Cencic told the story of deaf local footballer Ryan Emerson, 19, whose journey to a senior debut at Montrose in Melbourne’s east had been made possible by his brother and teammate, Lachlan Gray, in breaking down the barriers of his disability to play in one of the state’s best competitions. Gray has been by Ryan’s side his whole career, relaying coaches’ instructions in Auslan. The story explored how the football club, teammates, coaches and umpires supported Emerson, who was born completely deaf, in his bid to prove himself and earn his way despite his disability.

Nine Network, 2024 Australian Swimming Trials

The Australian Swimming Trials, serving as the official selection meet for the Olympic and Paralympic swimming squads, was a chance for Nine’s coverage to showcase the Paralympic Games and create a national buzz about Paralympic swimmers. For the first time, Nine integrated multi-class races within the Olympic trials to maximise inclusivity and ensure the poolside storytelling created an uplifting narrative. The result was a nation falling in love with swimmers such as Alexa Leary, while the raw emotion of Hayley Lewis, the mother of Olympic rookie Kai Taylor, and Cate Campbell’s final race conveyed the unfiltered drama only the Olympics can provide.

NITV, Over the Black Dot

Over the Black Dot on NITV strives for authentic and inclusive sports coverage. Across 31 episodes, the show delivered hundreds of interviews with Indigenous athletes, celebrating their personal journeys, challenges and successes with respect and honesty. Over the Black Dot has a commitment to community connection and cultural pride, emphasising the importance of Indigenous identity in sports. Through genuine storytelling, Over the Black Dot serves as a vital platform for Indigenous representation, where athletes voices and experiences are shared with dignity and depth.

The Conversation, The Conversation’s continued focus on inclusivity in sports

Sport should be for all, and enjoyed by all, which is why The Conversation’s Sports and Society section has explored so many areas beyond the sporting fields. Working with leading academics from across Australia, The Conversation engaged, entertained and educated readers about the importance of inclusion, diversity, fairness and participation from the top levels of sport down to grassroots. Topics included misogyny in sports media, the value of women coaches in junior sports and explaining why allowing some gymnasts to wear shorts over their leotards is a big deal.

Corbin Middlemas, ABC Sport

Corbin Middlemas continued to enhance his growing reputation as one of Australia’s finest sports broadcasters, leading ABC Sport’s AFL coverage as host of Friday night footy and the network’s flagship show on Saturdays. He also anchored the ABC’s coverage of Australia’s Test tour of New Zealand, the Boxing Day Test, Australian Open tennis and called track and road cycling, BMX racing, mountain biking, basketball and boxing at the Paris Olympic Games. In addition to his radio work, Middlemas is a regular panelist and host of the ABC TV’s Offsiders, where his play-by-play commentary, analysis and interviewing continues to shine through.

Finalists

Amanda Shalala, ABC Sport

Amanda Shalala was the ABC’s lead broadcast reporter for the Paris 2024 Olympics where she provided extensive coverage in the lead up to and from the Games. She also contributed to the ABC’s coverage of the Paralympics, providing regular updates on the ABC News Channel. Shalala was lead producer for ABC Sport’s feature video documentary Countdown to Paris and also created and produced ABC’s Female Athlete Health series, which focuses on issues seldom covered in mainstream media including returning to sport postpartum, body image, managing periods and finding the right sports bra.

Brenton Speed, Nine Network

Brenton Speed has long been regarded as the most versatile sports commentator in the country and he expanded his repertoire in Paris in 2024. He called basketball, tennis and football at the Olympics, then backed it up by calling more than 200 Para swimming races at the Paralympics. Among the highlights were his gold medal calls of Alexa Leary in the women’s 100m freestyle S9 in world record time, Australia’s win in the men’s doubles at Roland Garros and the men’s basketball tournament. Speed also commentated NRL, NRLW, AFL and Grand Slam tennis.

Ellie Cole, Nine Network (Rising Star nominee)

Ellie Cole, Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian, made a remarkable transition from elite sport to broadcasting where she quickly became a trusted voice and co-host for Nine’s coverage of the Paris Paralympics. Her journey began with guest appearances on Wide World of Sports where her deep insights and infectious passion captivated viewers. She joined esteemed commentators Giaan Rooney and Ian Thorpe to deliver expert analysis poolside for the Paris Olympic Games, which culminated in her historic appointment as co-host of the Paris Paralympics alongside James Bracey.

Gerard Whateley, SEN / Fox Footy / Nine Network

Gerard Whateley added calling athletics at the Paris Olympics for the Nine Network to his already jam-packed 2024, which also included commentating the AFL, international cricket and the Superbowl. His highlights included the most thrilling men’s 100m race the Games had seen and Jess Hull securing Australia’s first track medal in 12 years. He continues to set the agenda throughout the year on his morning radio show Whateley on SEN and as host of AFL360 on Fox Footy. This included leading the scrutiny and coverage of the horrific injuries suffered by Christian Petracca on the King’s Birthday, which resulted in an independent inquiry and the resignation of Melbourne President Kate Roffey.

Will Swanton, The Australian

The reinvention of Mitch Marsh from the so-called most hated cricketer in Australia to one of the most loved and the achingly sad story of the Fanning family, as mother Liz Osbourne details her own heart attack following the passing of her third son Edward, are just some examples of Will Swanton’s work across the nomination period. Swanton also detailed Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan’s fairytale win, Penrith captain Nathan Cleary leading the Panthers to their fourth straight premiership, Alexa Leary’s golden swim at the Paris Paralympics and Australia’s youngest ever gold medalist in skateboarder Arisa Trew.

Finalists

Emma Kemp, Sydney Morning Herald

From observing people to unpacking issues, Emma Kemp’s work covers a broad range of features, profiles and analysis pieces. They include a long-form profile on Australian weightlifting coach Paul Coffa and his coach-athlete relationship with dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Eileen Cikamatana. Kemp also covered swimming and track cycling at the Paris Olympics. Her feature on the latter examined the aerodynamic arms race that has propelled well-funded national teams to new frontiers each Olympic cycle. Kemp’s Olympics coverage also included a tribute to Brazilian football great Marta on the eve of her final international appearance - the Paris 2024 final loss to the United States.

Julian Linden, News Corp

Julian Linden focuses on governance and welfare issues in sport, particularly Olympic sports. While Linden says it’s not a particularly popular genre, it can lead to important reforms and make sports safer or fairer. His world exclusive revealed how 23 Chinese swimmers were secretly let off despite testing positive to a banned performance-enhancing drug before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, making it one of the biggest talking points in the lead up to and during the Paris Games. He also wrote extensively about Ice Skating Australia’s hidden secrets, which led to the sport losing its formal government recognition until it adopted major reforms and a new constitution. He also covered the ongoing struggle to recognise the victims of East German doping in the Cold War.

Konrad Marshall, Good Weekend

Konrad Marshall’s writing on sport has always stood out, mainly for his longform features in the pages of Good Weekend. But in 2024, he stretched a different set of muscles producing an array of varied work, showcasing a truly versatile skill set. He began the year by crafting a profile of Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur, which became the most widely read Good Weekend sports portrait piece of the year.  He followed that up with a number of pieces including an in depth-look at the rising talent within the ranks of Australian distance runners, a tribute to retiring AFL superstar Dustin Martin and a colourful firsthand reflection on completing the Marathon Pour Tous while in France covering his first Olympics.

Peter Badel, News Corp

Peter Badel covered some of the biggest stories in Australian sport in 2024, including breaking the sacking of Broncos coach and club legend Kevin Walters. Badel showcased his versatility with features on former State of Origin player Chris Walker, who opened up about steroid use, an often taboo subject and how it helped save his life, while Harry Garside shared how he overcame depression and suicidal thoughts to qualify for his second Olympics. Badel also detailed Broncos player Ezra Mam’s car crash and failed roadside drug test while driving unlicensed and the gender eligibility debate involving two boxers who have the XY male chromosome competing as women at the Paris Olympics.

Ellie Cole, Nine Network

Ellie Cole, Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian, made a remarkable transition from elite sport to broadcasting where she quickly became a trusted voice and co-host for Nine’s coverage of the Paris Paralympics. Her journey began with guest appearances on Wide World of Sports where her deep insights and infectious passion captivated viewers. She joined esteemed commentators Giaan Rooney and Ian Thorpe to deliver expert analysis poolside for the Paris Olympic Games, which culminated in her historic appointment as co-host of the Paris Paralympics alongside James Bracey.

One of sports greatest storytellers and a trailblazer for females in sport, Margie McDonald, is the latest recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, announced at the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Media Awards on 19 February 2025.