Siren 66: AFLW player development, Dani Stevens, Super Netball & more
A Women in Sport Collective
Amidst yet another Melbourne lockdown, we’re celebrating 18 months of Siren and spending some time reflecting on why we put in all those extra, unpaid hours.
While we’re in the throes of round two of our Emerging Sports Writer Program—kindly supported by Football Victoria—and interviewing candidates for our next Siren x Deakin University internship, we’re finding ourselves motivated. Energised. Reminded of why we love women’s sport, and sharing women in sport stories with all of you.
Working with women with a keen desire to pursue a sports writing career—all in various capacities—takes us back to the basics of it all. Stripping back the stresses and the extra hours and the frustrations, it really just comes down to why we started this in the first place. Ensuring diverse communities know that sport is for them, even if they feel like their favourite sporting league has never had them in mind. Telling women that there is an important space for them to take up when it comes to sports media. That they have a voice that is worth hearing.
We’re excited to see what our Emerging Sports Writers produce, what stories they’re going to tell and what contribution they’re going to make. But in the meantime, keep an eye out, because we’ll be sharing their voices with you in the coming weeks, and we cannot wait.
In this issue
Gemma Bastiani has a new long read for you all—this one about list and player development in the AFLW, specifically at the Melbourne Demons. Official Siren Collaborator Mary Konstantopoulos spoke with Olympian Dani Stevens, and netball expert Erin Delahunty has an update on this year’s Super Netball season.
New date!
Kate O’Halloran and our inaugural Emerging Sports Writer Program participant Courtney Hagen will be appearing in this excellent event from the Wheeler Centre as part of their Broadly Speaking series. Due to Victoria’s lockdown, the event has been rescheduled for July 13. If you have tickets, they will remain valid for the new date otherwise grab yours now!
Kasey also has this event coming up focused on her research during last year’s sport shut down, and the way men’s sport still dominated the media - a note that you can still register but if COVID-19 restrictions are not lifted, the event will likely move online so stay tuned for updates!
Gemma and friend of Siren Rana Hussain release a weekly footy podcast each Wednesday called Footy, Actually for those of you who continue to follow Aussie Rules through the men’s season.
AFLW Player development: how the Demons are getting it right
By Gemma Bastiani
In the ‘part time’ world of the AFLW, player development looks different. But exactly how are the Melbourne Demons ensuring their playing list is elite?
Four things we’ve learned so far this Super Netball season
By Erin Delahunty
Halfway through the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season, we’ve learned plenty about the state of each side. Erin Delahunty takes us through four key points.
Dani Stevens: from Little Athletics to her fourth Olympic Games
By Mary Konstantopoulos
Australian Olympian Dani Stevens is set to compete in her fourth Olympic Games, and more determined than ever to medal. Mary Konstantopoulos spoke to Stevens.
“They are special individually and frighteningly good in combination.” — Erin Delhunty on the form of Queensland Firebirds duo Kim Ravaillion and Gretel Bueta
Megan Maurice on the good and bad in the social media fan communities that spin around netball.
Does Super Netball need a match review panel?
If you missed the Swifts Giants game on Sunday afternoon, Siren’s favourite Netball Nerd has you covered!
Get all the latest Super Netball news from Netball Scoop and check out the latest episode of This Netty Life and the gamechangers from round six.
“Being a mixed race bi-sexual woman is a really strong part of my identity and one that I am proud of.” — West Coast Fever’s Stacey Francis-Bayman on Pride and visibility.
A new program from the AIS is working to “increase the representation of women across senior jobs in Australian sport and other professions.”
Matildas assistant coach Mel Andreatta on the future of women’s football in Australia and why emerging coaches need just as much support as emerging players.
There’s a new episode of The Far Post out!
Congrats to Sam Kerr for making the WSL Team of the Year!
Bronte Campbell: ‘I’ve been injured for five years, half my swimming career’
Simone Biles dazzles to claim seventh US gymnastics title with stunning ease and if you’re keen to know a little more about what makes Biles just so good, this Twitter thread is well worth a read.
In hockey news, the Hockeyroos prevail over the Blacksticks in the Trans-Tasman series decider
“We've been fighting for a place for a long time”—the Vanuatu women’s beach volleyball team and their bid to qualify for Tokyo.
Melinda Farrell on the cricket revolution happening in Brazil.
We are stoked to see the excellent Rana Hussain is part of the upcoming Muslim Women In Sport Global Summit!
We will never get sick of seeing young girls meeting their heroes!
Runner Up
How good is a personal best?