2018/19 CHEMIST WAREHOUSE WNBL MEDIA AWARDS
At the Chemist Warehouse WNBL Awards night, the 2018/19 Media Awards were also announced to highlight the exceptional reporting from around the country throughout this season.
Basketball Australia and the WNBL would like to take this opportunity to thank all media for the support and coverage during 2018/19. A special mention to those who entered the awards and congratulations to the chosen recipients.
CHEMIST WAREHOUSE WNBL WRITER OF THE YEAR
Craig O’Donoghue- The West Australian
Publishing over 20,000 words in The West Australian throughout the 2018/19 season, O’Donoghue provided exceptional coverage of not only the local team in Perth Lynx but of the league overall. Coverage of the Lynx and WNBL in The West Australian increased by over 20% from last season while thewest.com.au was utilised as an additional outlet to provide coverage. O’Donoghue was central during the on-court incident between Asia Taylor and Kelsey Griffin in Round 8, providing comments from both parties involved and following up with exclusive footage of the incident the following day. O’Donoghue also revealed Lynx player Maddie Allen’s brave battle with mental illness and the mental and physical challenges she has had to overcome to play with the Lynx.
BEST NEWSPAPER COVERAGE
The Canberra Times
With multiple features per week as well as match previews and reports, The Canberra Times were a stellar contributor to the coverage of the league during 2018/19. News of player signings were broken pre-season and as the UC Capitals rose up the ladder leading into the playoffs, the team was regularly featured on the back page. Coverage of the Capitals’ indigenous round, Abby Cubillo’s heritage, Leilani Mitchell’s struggle and ultimate success to have a child, how the AIS revived Kelsey Griffin’s career and coach Paul Goriss’ proud moment with Marianna Tolo were just some of the standout pieces featured in The Canberra Times this season.
BEST RADIO/ PODCAST COVERAGE
ABC Grandstand
Having provided coverage for the UC Capitals during the regular season, ABC Grandstand then broadcast the 2018/19 Grand Final series, live from the AIS Arena and Titanium Security Arena. Led by Tim Gavel, past legends Kellie Abrams and Rachael Sporn joined him in commentary to provide the sounds of the game to those without access to a television via radio, internet and the ABC Grandstand app.
Listen to ABC Grandstand here.
BEST FEATURE
Ben Waterworth- FOX SPORTS Australia
‘Jenna O’Hea opens up on her uncle’s tragic death’
Following the heartbreaking news of her uncle’s tragic passing, Jenna O’Hea of the Deakin Melbourne Boomers helped initiate Lifeline Round in Round 15 alongside the Chemist Warehouse WNBL. Waterworth featured O’Hea’s struggle in his piece for FOX SPORTS that illustrated the devastation that her uncle’s passing caused and how she was dealing with the incredible grief. The article was preceded by a special FOX Basketball podcast as O’Hea discussed her heartbreak as well as the positives they were aiming to get out of the situation through Lifeline Round.
BEST PHOTOGRAPH
Michelle Couling
Regularly capturing the most impressive images over a number of years covering the league, Michelle Couling has once again shone with her picture of heavy contact between Deakin Melbourne Boomers’ Kalani Purcell and Suzy Batkovic of the JCU Townsville Fire. Showcasing the physical nature of the sport, both players also demonstrate the strength and athleticism required to compete in the WNBL as a packed crowd at the State Basketball Centre watch on.
