Best coverage of sport for people with disability

This award recognises the best coverage of sport for people with disability. Entries can focus on the participation of people with disability in sport, including as grassroots participants, volunteers, elite athletes, officials, coaches and administrators.The intent of this award is to recognise the overall promotion of sport for people with disability and is not restricted to profile stories on individuals. Entries should demonstrate responsible and well-researched coverage and provide detailed and innovative insight into people with disability participating in sport.

Winner

Elizabeth Wright, ABC Sport

Elizabeth Wright is committed to elevating sport for people with disability and, as a Paralympian herself, has unique insights and valuable lived experience that she brings to her storytelling. Her broadcast work includes profiles of women athletes at all levels of sport, explorations of the challenges faced by lower-funded disability sports, coverage of programs which encourage inclusivity, and stories focused on getting more women with disability into leadership roles. Her written work includes a feature examining the contributions of pioneering women athletes, opens in a new tab throughout Australian Paralympic history, insightful analysis pieces, opens in a new tab during the Paris Paralympics, and stories from the community level, opens in a new tab.

Highly Commended

Zachary Gates, Wide World of Sports  - The power of the Paralympics (Rising Star nominee)

Zachary Gates provided extensive coverage for Nine.com.au in the lead-up to and during the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Prior to the Games, Gates shed light on the jarring attitudes some people have regarding “invisible” disability, opens in a new tab, explored the Paralympic movement’s classification dilemma through an exclusive interview with Vanessa Low, opens in a new tab and provided an in-depth feature on cyclist Emily Petricola, opens in a new tab. On the ground in Paris, Gates reported trackside on Jaryd Clifford’s heartbreaking stripping of bronze, opens in a new tab, Low’s gold-winning long jump performance and profiled the two spiritual leaders of the Australian swimming team, opens in a new tab, Ahmed Kelly and Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson.

Finalists

Charles Brice, ABC Sport

On the ground for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Charles Brice provided exceptional coverage showcasing not only the incredible athletic performances but also the inspiring stories of athletes. Through numerous live crosses for the ABC’s national television and radio programs and news articles, opens in a new tab, Brice elevated the visibility of the Paralympic Games and bridged the gap between the athletes and the audience. His engaging commentary and insightful interviews captured the emotions and triumphs of competitors and his efforts to cover every nuance of the events created a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Games.

SBS, IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships

SBS Australia provided comprehensive live coverage of the 2023 International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) Asia-Oceania Championships, streaming all 19 matches and showcasing the first ever joint men’s and women’s Para Asian Cup. SBS’s coverage captured the on-field action and the powerful stories of resilience and achievement behind each match. With a dedicated team on the ground, including emerging commentator Oliver Walker-Peel, who has cerebral palsy himself, SBS connected audiences to the triumphs and challenges of athletes living with disabilities and highlighted memorable moments, including the ParaMatildas’ victory and David Barber becoming the most-capped player of Australia’s senior men’s team.

Victorian Institute of Sport, The quest for Paris – Col Pearse

In 2024, the Victorian Institute of Sport presented Olympic and Paralympic docuseries The Quest for Paris.Part two of the series featured Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse, opens in a new tab as he strived to turn his Tokyo 2020 bronze medal into a gold in Paris. Through three 20-minute episodes, the documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at high performance sport and follows Pearse as he goes through the highs and lows of life and Paralympic qualification, allowing the audience to see the personal side of the lengthy process and the drive, motivation and support it takes to reach the very top.