22/23 Media Award winners announced!
The winners of the 22/23 Cygnett WNBL Media Awards have been announced today, recognising and acknowledging the outstanding reporting and photography from throughout the season.
Entrants from across the country, in all categories, were of exceptionally high quality, showcasing the incredible talent that is covering the WNBL, through a range of mediums.
Congratulations to our winners, runners-up, and all entrants.
FEATURE STORY OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the well-researched written or video profiling of an individual athlete, team or coach (any medium).
Winner (Joint)
Jacinta Govind – Siren Sport | ABC Sport
Forming part of the ABC Spot’s partnership with Siren Sport to elevate the coverage of Australian women in sport, Jacinta Govind captures JCU Townsville Fire vice-captain, Steph Reid’s journey to reach her Opals debut last year.
Winner (Joint)
Simon Peters – MVP Media
After securing their first win of the season, UC Capitals’ gun, Jade Melbourne sat down with Simon Peters from MVP Media in a one-on-one interview to discuss what the win meant to her and the team.
PHOTOGRAPH OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the incredible imagery captured of athletes, teams or coaches. Photographers could submit a maximum of six photographs.
Winner
Lawrence Surgers
Steph Reid of JCU Townsville Fire lunges to keep the ball in play under pressure from the Flyers’ Maddy Rocci.
Runner-up
Daniel Pocket
Tiffany Mitchell of the Boomers drives to the basket under pressure from Lauren Jackson of the Flyers (R) and Kayla Thornton of the Flyers.
REPORTER OF THE YEAR
Entrants were judged on news breaking, features, insight, impact and a consistent high standard of reportage of WNBL stories during the season.
Winner
Megan Hustwaite – ESPN
In WNBL23, Megan wrote for ESPN as a freelance journalist. Her stories across the season showcased tales of triumph and adversity – covering everything from the league’s 11 mums and how Melbourne Boomers’ Leilani Mitchell would combine breastfeeding with a comeback, to those juggling jobs with basketball.
Example: ‘Women can do both’: The proud case of mothers in the WNBL
Runner-up
Craig O’Donoghue – The West Australian
Runner-up
Hayley Wildes – The Pick and Roll
BEST OVERALL COVERAGE
Entrants were judged on news breaking, features, insight, impact and a consistent high standard of reportage of WNBL stories during the season.
Winner
Runner-up
The 22/23 WNBL Media Awards were adjudicated by a three-person panel consisting of Head of WNBL Christy Collier-Hill, former Opal and WNBL player, Robyn Maher and Commentator, Jason Bennett.