Ground-breaking Our Game Women & Non-Binary Persons in Media Program poised to support next generation

The first intake of the OUR GAME Women and Non-Binary Persons in Media Program is ready for kick-off with an initial ten participants selected from across Australia.   

Part of Football Australia’s Legacy ’23 strategic plan, the groundbreaking pilot program is designed to address the barriers to entry into sports media for women and non-binary persons by providing opportunities to develop and hone their skills and knowledge with the assistance of industry professionals and mentors, and build their industry networks.   

Sarah Walsh, Football Australia’s Head of Women’s Football, Women’s World Cup Legacy and Inclusion, said that the program is a step in the right direction in identifying and nurturing the next generation in media.   

“Through Legacy ’23 we want to ensure that enduring benefits from co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ extend beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch and into many facets of the game,” Walsh said.   

“While women’s football and women’s sport have made great strides in the representation of women and girls in the playing arena, there are still many parts of the game that would benefit from that representation and visibility.  The only way this can occur is if we listen to and address the underrepresentation of women and non-binary persons in leadership positions where they can affect change.   

“Working with our incredible media supporters and our Member Federations, the OUR GAME Women and Non-Binary Persons in Media Program’s purpose is to assist in breaking down the systemic barriers to this part of the game and provide a pipeline of passionate, knowledgeable and empowered media professionals to continue changing the narrative around the capacity of women and non-binary persons.”   

“As a sport, we recognise the importance of lived experiences providing a diverse lens to storytelling and rich coverage of football in a manner that centres all the different parts of our game.  With the varied backgrounds of the participants, we believe they will be wonderful assets to the sporting landscape.”  

The first intake of the program offers the two streams of Photography and Communications / Digital Media.  Six participants – a minimum of one from each FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 host city – will be selected for each stream with the intake period running from January 2023 to August 2023.   

Football Australia acknowledges the considerable support of the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission in supporting the Legacy ’23 plan and its initiatives. Four highly regarded organisations have joined together to provide participants with opportunities to obtain industry-specific expertise and experiences while providing exposure to high-quality sporting and non-sporting events and mentorship.   

Pre-eminent global visual content creator and marketplace, Getty Images (NYSE: GETY), national broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the local FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand subsidiary and Australian Professional Leagues (operators of the A-Leagues competitions) have joined on as enthusiastic supporters of the program to supporting the participants with workshops led by industry experts, hands-on work experiences, accreditation to events and a speakers series.   

Participants will also have access to mentorship from two qualified and well-respected practitioners of their field with ABC Sport journalist Samantha Lewis and longtime women’s football and music photographer Joseph Mayers to provide guidance, support and share their learnings.   

Program participants were chosen following an open application process via Football Australia’s website, social media and football networks.  Interviews were conducted for the shortlisted applicants before the successful participants were inducted into the program last week.   

Click here to view more information on the program, participants, media supporters and mentors.   

OUR GAME WOMEN AND NON-BINARY PERSONS IN MEDIA | PARTICIPANTS