This award recognises an individual or organisation who has delivered exceptional audio coverage of sport via podcast media during the nomination period. Entries should demonstrate responsible and well-researched coverage, provide a detailed and innovative insight into sport and showcase a high standard of audio and production quality.
The Final Word, opens in a new tab covers cricket with depth and breadth like no other, publishing over 250 episodes from seven countries and across three World Cups. The flagship weekly issues-based show continues to tackle complex areas, challenging how the game is administered in Australia and beyond. But it’s not all serious – their weekend history show gives hosts Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins the freedom to dig into the game’s rich past. The Final Word prides itself on its diversity – from Tests through to Vanuatu’s women, or the phantom games scandal in France, while sensitive topics like the Taliban’s ban on women’s sport and mental health are discussed often and openly, but with the respectful tone they require.
The Olympic period was a highlight for the ABC Sport Daily, opens in a new tab podcast as blanket coverage of the Paris Games resulted in a record month of ratings for August, with 288,000 listeners and more than half a million downloads. It was telling that when the biggest event in world sport was on, audiences turned to ABC Sport in droves. Driving that interest was a consistent serving of quality as executive producer and host Patrick Stack and producer and fill-in host Poppy Penny spoke to a mix of athletes, stakeholders, famed broadcasters, Olympic legends and on-ground reporters. Beyond the Olympics, the team has driven the national sports conversation with stories that take listeners beyond the headlines in a diverse and unique offering.
Launched in 2020 by Olympic gold medalist Chloe Dalton, The Female Athlete Project (TFAP), opens in a new tab spotlights the stories and achievements of women in sport. As the fastest-growing women’s sport platform in the country, TFAP works tirelessly to grow the profile of athletes, administrators and everyone who helps to make women’s sport in Australia great. Each podcast episode focuses on one of these incredible people and in the process, helps advocate for greater visibility, respect and investment in women’s sport. Whether it’s across its 250k+ social following, twice weekly podcasts, fan-favourite newsletter or merchandise and books, TFAP engages with a community that recognises the power of sport in changing the world.
The Howie Games, opens in a new tab is Australia’s leading sports podcast, drawing an impressive 220,000 unique listeners every month and captivating sports fans with intimate conversations led by Mark ‘Howie’ Howard. This year’s guests included former Boomers coach Brian Goorjian, legendary horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, cricketer Meg Lanning, former Socceroos coach Graham Arthur and Olympian Susie O’Neill. Through his thoughtful, long-form conversations, Howie uncovers pivotal, often raw moments that resonate deeply with listeners. With an authentic approach, The Howie Games inspires and captivates, solidifying its unique place in Australian sports media and offering fans a podcast experience that celebrates the extraordinary lives and stories behind the athletes.
Sportish, opens in a new tab is a weekly podcast that seeks to find the intersection between sport and popular culture and in doing so, remove barriers that stop people engaging in sport - whether as a participant or as a fan. The mission of hosts and sisters-in-law Georgie and Libby Trickett is to help more Aussies - especially women and teen girls - feel curious about and included in sport. Sportish gives women who don’t feel like they have a right to talk about sport the confidence and space to have all kinds of sports conversations. Their episodes are diverse and celebrate grassroots sport and sportsmanship as much as inspiring elite level performances.