Townsville Bulletin claims best newspaper coverage

The Townsville Bulletin’s outstanding coverage of the JCU Townsville Fire has been formally acknowledged this morning via the 2016/17 WNBL Media Awards. The Bulletin was announced as the winner of the competition’s ‘Best Newspaper Coverage,’ enhancing their reputation as the WNBL’s premier online and print newspaper destination. Over the course of the season, the Bulletin provided close to 300 stories, features and columns on the Fire, including their four-page ‘Fired Up’ lift-out prior to each home game. While the Fire’s bid for a historic three-peat narrowly came up short, the Bulletin’s exceptional coverage has led to record media figures for the 2014/15 and 2015/16 WNBL champions. “The JCU Townsville Fire congratulates the Townsville Bulletin and their staff on their award-winning coverage,” club General Manager Richard Goodbody said. “They continue to set the bar for coverage of women’s sport – not just the WNBL – and thoroughly deserved their recognition via the 2016/17 WNBL Media Awards. “The addition of the four-page ‘Fired Up’ lift-out was well received by our fans both at home and in-stadium, while the insights provided by captain Suzy Batkovic and import Natasha Cloud via their respective player columns is unprecedented in the league. “The Bulletin – and our other Townsville-based media outlets – do an amazing job of bringing our club closer to our members and fans and we are extremely grateful for the support that we receive.” The Fire is expected to make several player announcements in the near future as the club looks to return to the winners’ podium in 2017/18. The 2016/17 WNBL Media Award winners are:

• Best Newspaper Coverage – The Townsville Bulletin
• WNBL Writer of the Year – Megan Hustwaite (News Corp)
• Best Feature – Chris Dutton (Canberra Times)
• Best Photo – Michelle Couling
• Best Radio Coverage – Bendigo’s Fresh FM and Basket Case