Sport Australia has recognised some of the country’s most talented sport news teams and people.
Sport Australia has presented legendary sports journalist Mike Sheahan with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 20th annual Sport Australia Media Awards.
Sheahan is one of Australian Rules Football’s most respected and influential journalists having dedicated 40 years of his career to the game.
He spent 20 years as chief football writer for The Herald Sun and won dozens of major Australian football media awards across all categories – news breaking, features and columns.
In latter years, Sheahan transitioned into a successful radio and television personality and finished his illustrious media career in 2020 after a 19-year stint at Fox Footy.
Sheahan said he was honoured to receive the award describing it as a “significant acknowledgement of the game I love”.
“Journalism gave me opportunities to meet people and go to places I would have never dreamt of, and I consider myself extremely lucky.”
Speaking in front of 200 people at Doltone House in Sydney, Sheahan reflected on what he considered his greatest accomplishment in journalism.
“My proudest achievement is shining the light on concussion and waging an unofficial campaign in newspapers and on television for 20 years.”
Among his fondest career moments, he lists those spent on the set of Fox Footy’s Open Mike program which ran for 11 years and 230 episodes.
“I loved that program and the gems it would uncover.”
Sheahan is a member of the Life Member of the AFL and the media centre at AFL House in Melbourne is also named after him.
Australian Sports Commission Chair Josephine Sukkar AM congratulated Mr Sheahan on receiving the Lifetime Achievement award.
“Mike’s greatest asset has always been his unrivalled passion for the game and the role he’s played in sports media in Australia across five decades is testament to this.
“From starting his career as a 16-year-old working at the Werribee Banner while still playing the game on weekends to becoming known for his fiercely debated Top 50 player rankings, Mike has left an indelible mark on the sport.”
“I’d like to congratulate Mike and all of the winners and finalists as we celebrate 20 years of the Sport Australia Media Awards.”
Elsewhere, the Seven Network’s ground-breaking coverage of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 has shone bright among a field of Australian broadcasters, recognised with the 2021 Sport Australia Media Award for Best Coverage of a Sporting Event at the annual gala event in Sydney last night.
Esteemed sport broadcaster David Culbert was recognised with the Sport Australia Media Award for Best Sport Coverage by an Individual – Video for his informed, impassioned and entertaining commentary across Seven’s coverage of Games, including his most memorable call of Jess Fox’s canoe gold alongside Jess’ father, Richard.
The honours follow three awards from the International Olympic Committee’s coveted Golden Rings Awards in Lausanne in November last year.
Seven’s Tokyo 2020 broadcast reached more Australians than ever before, with 21 million people tuning in to watch the 17 days of competition on an unprecedented 45 channels across Seven and 7plus, making it the biggest television and streaming event in Australian history.
The network also proudly delivered the biggest and best Paralympic coverage ever for Tokyo 2020 across 13 unmissable days, shattering all previous Australian television audience records with coverage of the Opening Ceremony reaching 1.94 million people and each day of competition reaching between 2.5 million and 3 million viewers.
Managing Director Seven Melbourne and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said:
“Seven produced a history-making broadcast and digital coverage of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo that united and gripped Australians in their millions, arguably at a time when the country needed it most.
“It really does take a village and we relied on the resources of the entire network to deliver a world-class, award-winning viewing experience. Every person at Seven played a part, big or small, and this is deserved recognition of their achievements and valuable contributions.
“We also congratulate Dave Culbert. One of Australia’s finest callers, Dave has a very proud history with Seven and has been a respected voice across numerous Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games with his outstanding ability to engage and inform, peppered with a sharp sense of humour.”
The Sport Australia Media Awards recognise excellence in sports journalism, broadcasting and production. They focus on analytical and insightful reporting and the presentation of sport and sporting issues, with the aim of fostering improved coverage of key issues within sport.
All 2021 Sport Australia Media Awards winners:
Best sport coverage by an individual – audio
Neroli Meadows, Ordineroli Speaking
Best sport coverage by an individual – written
Phil Lutton, The Sydney Morning Herald
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Emma Kemp, Guardian Australia
Best sport coverage by an individual – video
David Culbert, Seven Network
Best sport profile – broadcast
Australian Story, Luc Longley: One Giant Leap, ABC TV
Best sport profile – written
Konrad Marshall, Patty Mills: All the right moves, Good Weekend
Best coverage of a sporting event
Seven Network, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
Best Sports Photography
Jay Town, Eye on the ball, Tennis Australia
Innovation in sports media
Optus Sport, Social Media Innovation, UEFA EURO 2020
Best coverage of sport for people with disability
Tom Decent, The power of the Paralympics, Sydney Morning Herald / The Age
Best coverage of a community sport issue – rural & regional media
Donna Page, Newcastle cricket’s turf war, Newcastle Herald
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kristy Williams, Parkes Champion Post ‘You cannot be what you cannot see’
Best depiction of inclusive sport
Peter Dickson, The Ripple Effect, Dickson Films
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Bowls Australia, ‘The Bowls Show’ & ‘The Right Line podcast and website’
Best reporting of an issue in sport
JOINT WINNERS
Selina Steele, Michael Cain, Julian Linden Tackling abuse in football, The Daily Telegraph
Adrian Arciuli, Anna Henderson, Abdullah Alikhil, The Taliban Takeover, SBS
Lifetime achievement
Mike Shehan
