Siren 81: Alexandra Viney, Uniforms in Sport, the Best of AFLW & more
A Women in Sport Collective
Strap yourselves in sports fans! Your summer sports schedule is about to get very busy, and very exciting!
WBBL 7 gets underway on Thursday night with the Sydney Sixers taking on the Melbourne Stars in Tasmania. The upcoming WBBL will spend its first half in Tasmania before moving across South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland in the rejigged fixture that was released last week, unfortunately taking Victoria and New South Wales out of the equation due to border closures. While it’s tough for those based in Vic and NSW to miss out on seeing some of the world’s most exciting cricketers live in action, we appreciate all the work being done to keep the WBBL alive in challenging times. Cricket Australia’s broadcast deal has all 59 matches live and free on either the Seven Network or cricket.com.au, and in a first for the WBBL, every single match will be broadcast on television with Fox Cricket and Kayo expanding their coverage.
Keeping women’s sports free and accessible is important, but it’s also great to see the balance of more coverage on paid services to continue to drive the value of women’s sports. We know fans who are in a position to will happily pay to support women’s sport.
The WNBL has also announced their fixture for the 2021/22 season which will tip off on Thursday, December 2. The league also announced a new broadcast deal with Foxtel, Kayo and ABC with every game being broadcast across the season. Both Fox Sports and ABC will feature a game of the round live each week in the 5pm Saturday slot.
We’re also in the middle of the WNBA finals with Sandy Brondello’s Phoenix Mercury taking on the Chicago Sky.
The newly rebranded A-League Women’s season kicks off December 3, and we have our fingers crossed for the NRLW to be given their chance to take the field in early 2022 after multiple delays and are very excited for AFLW to commence on January 6 after also being pushed back.
But it’s not so easy for other women’s sports who do not have the same level of support who have been severely impacted by the pandemic. One league we’re sad to see cancel another year of competition are our friends over at the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League.
At Siren, we’ll continue to do what we can to give more coverage to underrepresented women’s sports and support where we can by writing, promoting and tuning in. If you’re involved with a sport that needs a shout out or a story, please get in touch with us via contact@sirensport.com.au or tag us on social media so we can help spread the word and amplify our women in sport community.
ICYMI
Our new podcast has officially dropped with our first full episode out now! In this episode, Kasey, Kirby and Gemma reflect on our Emerging Sports Writer Program. We look forward to bringing you more insight into our programs and projects, and if there’s anything you want the Siren team to chat about, email or tweet us!
In this issue
We’re excited to bring you a piece by the awesome Stella Lesic who is President of Queer Sporting Alliance that continues the important conversation of inclusive uniforms in women’s sports. Gemma Bastiani has selected her top 10 AFLW games across its first five seasons as the excitement builds for the 2022 season. And Siren Collaborator Mary Konstantopoulos speaks to para athlete Alexandra Viney about discovering para sports, her Tokyo 2020 experience and the power of visibility.
Draft Central is counting down the top 50 AFLW players leading into season six and our own Gemma Bastiani contributed her thoughts on behalf of the Siren team along with our friends at the Outer Sanctum and Women’s Australian Rules Football (WARF) Radio. Follow along and share your thoughts with us on Twitter!
Siren Co-founder Kate O’Halloran has started her new role at ABC Sport strong with this great piece on Cricket Australia’s parental leave policy.
Kirby Fenwick was a part of this History Trust of South Australia Talking History event on South Australia’s sporting history where she discussed the work of trailblazing sports journalist Lois Quarrell who covered women’s sports in South Australia for more than thirty years.
Lycra Wars: when one size does not fit all
By Stella Lesic
Stella Lesic shares their experience playing basketball in bloomers, yes, bloomers, and the importance of inclusive uniform options across all junior and elite women’s sport.
A Powerful Place to Be: Alexandra Viney on rediscovering her ability
By Mary Konstantopoulos
Siren Sport Collaborator Mary Konstantopoulos speaks to para athlete Alexandra Viney about discovering para sports, her Tokyo 2020 experience and the power of visibility.
AFLW 2017 – 2021: The Top Ten
By Gemma Bastiani
As we look toward the sixth AFLW season, we have taken a look back at the ten best matches from the competition’s first five seasons.
Presented by Game Legal
Queer Sporting Alliance (QSA) have been given the Peter Norman Inclusion Award! Thank you for ensuring the LGBTIQA+ community has ongoing support and resources when it comes to getting involved in community sport.
Angela Ruggerio (US Hockey Hall of Famer) and her company have been conducting research into sports fans, making the point that women’s sports have the most innovative and committed fans. We’re intrigued by the write up, and love to see fans taking up some of the sport limelight. We are but fans first here at Siren!
The Gold Coast Suns have begun to bridge the gap between community football and AFLW by opening up two development coaching scholarships for women. They’re also encouraging applicants from other sports, hoping to raise both skill and confidence levels in women all over the sporting industry.
Check out the newest episode of The Outer Sanctum: Can a brand be an agent of change. Rana Hussain talks to brand strategist Keeva Stratton about whether a brand can be an authentic agent of change.
Australian Opal Katie Ebzery has announced her retirement after 304 games and an amazing 16 year career. Ebzery is a dual Olympian and a 3x All-WNBL First Team honouree! Congratulations Katie, we wish you a relaxing retirement!!
19-year-old Hockeyroo, Amy Lawton, has become one of the 10 overall recipients of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s Scholarship and Mentoring Program. Congratulations Amy! We’re looking forward to watching your talent grow.
Legendary Australian marathon swimmer Chloë McCardel has completed her 43rd crossing of the English Channel, equalling the world record for most number of channel crossings!
Change Our Game have launched their Women in Governance Program to support women in Victoria on or looking to join boards of sports organisations and clubs. Apply now.
Presented by Graphcad Consultants
Yesterday was International Day of the Girl and one of our faves, Alana Thomas, gave these inspiring words to her little Alana. We love your work Alana!
Runner up
Award-winning broadcaster Karen Tighe was back on our airwaves this weekend after recovering from viral encephalitis and we’re thrilled for her. Her voice means so much to so many.
