Channel Seven has confirmed Olympian and seasoned broadcaster Matt Shirvington is joining the network in a fulltime role.
The appointment will see Shirvington join the Seven News team and he will also be part of Seven’s commentary team for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Shirvington will next week begin his new role with 7NEWS Sydney as the new weekend sports anchor. He’ll present sport alongside newsreader Michael Usher on Fridays and Saturdays. The role was recently vacated by Jim Wilson who has moved to 2GB.
In a sporting career spanning two decades, Shirvington brings with him more than 10 years’ experience presenting and reporting from some of the world’s biggest sporting events including multiple Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Commenting, Matt Shirvington said:
“I couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter at Channel Seven. To be working in a newsroom alongside the best in the business is a privilege. It’s a return of sorts, having begun my television career with Seven. And it would be no surprise that as an Olympian, being able to work on another Games coverage is exactly where I want to be. I have gained a wealth of experience from my time at Foxtel and Fox Sports, for which I am grateful, which will only strengthen my contribution to the 7NEWS team.”
On the appointment, Network Director of News and Public Affairs Craig McPherson said:
“Matt brings a wealth of experience and energy to our superb team. The drive and commitment required to be an elite athlete has benchmarked Matt’s broadcasting career. Instilled qualities to be the best at what he does with a Sydney and sporting pedigree across athletics, Rugby League, Australian Rules and Rugby. This is an exciting new beginning for our 7NEWS sport department, 7Sport and Matt.”
Sydney News Director, Jason Morrison, added:
“Matt has proven himself to be a champion in everything he’s tackled, and he’s excelled in his media career. We can’t wait to have him working with Mel McLaughlin and our sports team.”
Born and raised in Sydney’s north-east, Shirvington is one of the greats of Australian track and field and represented his country at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the 1998 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and seven World Championships.
He began his media career with the Seven Network in 2005 as a host and reporter on Beyond Tomorrow before joining Sky News in 2009. Since 2013, Shirvington has been a mainstay of Fox Sports NRL coverage, most recently as host of NRL Tonight.
During this time, he has also held ongoing roles as speed and agility coach with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Swans, and NSW Waratahs. Shirvington also sits on the board of the NSW Institute of Sport.
He and wife, Jessica, have three young children, Sienna, Winter and Lincoln.
