Two of the ABC’s most popular faces in sport are moving into key new roles, with Paul Kennedy becoming a senior sports reporter across all ABC NEWS programs and platforms and Tony Armstrong taking over as the full-time sports presenter on News Breakfast.
Viewer favourite Paul “PK” Kennedy has been on Brekky since the program’s 2008 launch.
“I’ve loved working on live TV for 13 years,” Kennedy says. “I remember being on the couch for that first show – we had no audience and I had no idea what I was getting into. We started talking to the camera and the audience grew and I felt like we grew with it.
“The new role is really exciting. I’ll be finding and telling stories about sport for all the ABC’s platforms, including 7.30 and ABC Sport online. As usual, my storytelling will have a strong focus on Australian communities.”
Original host of News Breakfast, Virginia Trioli took to Instagram to congratulate Kennedy on his achievements
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Oh this makes me cry. It’s the end of an incredible era with the departure of Paul, the last member of our original team. For more than a decade we worked so hard on a show we loved so much to make it the success it is today.
Paul’s talents are evident to anyone who watches for even a moment: but his qualities as a human being are what have bound us as friends and kept us going through good and hard times. Paul – well played. All of it.
Tony Armstrong, a Barranbinya man, joined the ABC a year ago after a playing career with the Adelaide Crows, Sydney Swans and Collingwood. After filling in for PK for most of this year he now takes up a permanent spot on the Brekky couch alongside Lisa Millar, Michael Rowland, Nate Byrne and Madeleine Morris.
“Firstly, a huge congratulations to PK for the amazing job he did in the role,” Armstrong says. “He’s unreal at what he does but even better as a person. He took me under his wing from the second I walked into the place.
“I’m really excited about officially starting with the News Breakfast team and pumped to continue getting to know them and our valued audience better.
“I don’t take it lightly when it comes to the new role. I understand the importance of having representation for my people on screens. I love that I’m part of that – and I love that by giving me the opportunity the ABC is part of that too.”
PK was farewelled on this morning’s News Breakfast with a cake and special tributes from some of his many fans.
Says co-host Lisa Millar:
“Paul brought not only his expertise to the role as sports presenter but an incredible dedication to causes close to his heart. He’s a virtuoso interviewer, a wizard of wit and his knowledge of all things ’80s is unsurpassed. He leaves an enormous legacy.”
Michael Rowland added:
“With Paul it’s never just about which team won and by how many points. He brings true substance and is a fierce champion of women in sport.
“Tony has already made quite an impression on the team and our viewers. He has an MCG-sized personality and wisdom beyond his years. He’s a tremendous addition to the program.”
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PK has been awesome and it has been great watching the trajectory of a brilliant career. Tony will fill those shoes well as he has a similar quick mind – ABCTV is so lucky to have found both these guys who have made sport interesting even to people who are not fans. Can’t wait for Tony to drop the mo though. There’s a great face underneath the whiskers.
I am now in my 21 first year of retirement and I enjoy to watch NEWS BREAKFAST every day,even when I travel in remote arrears in my caravan.
Keep up the good work ReGards DON.
Please keep Georgie And KATE AS BACKUPS
AS ABOVE
PK was “family” and we will truly miss him. Michael, Virginia and Paul my morning diet for years. Tony will be a great replacement. Vale, Paul. All the best.
Adored the reporting by PK… and forgave him long ago for being a Collingwood supporter… going to miss him in the mornings!