Our commitment to covering issues in women’s sport

TWO Years ago, News Corp made a commitment to transform its coverage, tone and all-round approach to coverage of women’s and gender-diverse sport and its visibility in the media.

We wanted to address the under representation of some of the nation’s finest athletes by giving them regular presence in all our platforms.

We wanted to become an ally to the athletes and governing bodies, create communities in which fans and sceptics could coexist and learn more about some of the best talent Australia and the world of women’s sport has to offer. In dedicating significantly more resources and time to the coverage of women’s sport, we have in turn adapted our ways of thinking.

Data clearly shows us that Australians want more coverage, opinions and analysis on women’s sport.

For the past 24 months we have closely monitored the data from our audiences and the response has been staggering.

In 2022 we delivered a 54 per cent increase in women’s sport content across digital, social, video and print. This resulted in an 83 per cent increase in the consumption of the content.

Our award-winning investigations uncovered alleged abuse in football when Lisa De Vanna lifted the lid on the toxic culture within the Matildas.

We exposed the truth about what really ended Liz Cambage’s Opals career, after obtaining video of the former WNBA star assaulting and racially vilifying Nigerian players.

We revealed the dire financial situation at Netball Australia, and led the discussion and coverage of trans athletes in sport, and laid bare the horrors of abuse and toxic cultures across sports including hockey, swimming and triathlon.

Our coverage has not and will not discriminate.

In a year in which Australia will play host to the women’s Football World Cup, the Diamonds battle for glory at the netball World Cup in South Africa and athletes prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics, we are more committed than ever to ensure women’s sport has the coverage it deserves.

INSIGHT SPORT will not replace our existing coverage – it will bolster it.

A monthly themed digital print edition and online destination will be added to our already wide-ranging content on offer.

We want to assist in breaking down taboos, improve standards across codes and, most importantly, let the athletes tell their stories and weigh in on the big issues that matter to them.

In the inaugural month, INSIGHT SPORT will be a weekly edition covering four themes: BODY, PRIDE, EQUALITY and the POWER issue for International Women’s Day.

In the coming weeks we will hear from netball and AFLW superstar Ash Brazill about why she didn’t want to be the first openly gay netballer, while Aussie bowler Megan Schutt reveals her fury at being told as a young player that women’s cricket had “coerced” her into being a lesbian.

Charlotte Caslick and Sally Fitzgibbons discuss pay parity, what it means, why their sports are leading the way and what the rest of the country needs to do.

Join us on the journey, with every story available via www.insightsport.com.au.