‘HOUSE RULES’
Meet Abbey Way
Competition is in Abbey Way’s blood. The former Miss Universe contestant and granddaughter of Olympic gold medalwinning runner Herb Elliott has risen through the ranks to become a stand-out sports broadcaster. Now the Perth-born, Sydneybased beauty is bringing her sideline skills to reality TV as co-host of House Rules: High Stakes alongside Jamie Durie.
In its eighth season, the renovation series has been given a refresh as contestants are tasked with transforming a high-rise penthouse on the Gold Coast as well as handing over the keys to their own homes. “These people are competing for one shot at something that can change their lives, and in a lot of ways, that’s what athletes do as well,” says Way (née Gelmi). “That’s why I love journalism and sport. You are telling people’s stories at some of the more dramatic moments of their lives.” Between a wedding to fellow sports commentator Ben Way in November, presenting cricket and horseracing on Seven, and scoring a coveted spot on the Olympic commentating team, Way is having a dramatic moment of her own. “It’s been a pretty wild 12 months,” she tells WHO.
How are you juggling everything that’s on your plate at the moment? It has been a bit of a learning curve, but there are a lot of people on the team at Seven who have years of experience at trying to achieve balance with these schedules, and they have given me advice. It’s been a lot of travel, especially for someone who hasn’t done that much travelling before, but I am really enjoying it.
The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How are you feeling about your role as a commentator?
We are keeping abreast and as up to date on everything as we can with the IOC and AOC. As a sports journalist, it’s the greatest honour and something that you dream about. It’s still sinking in, to be honest. We are all just waiting and hoping … but the safety of those involved has to be paramount.
Sports presenting is traditionally a more male-dominated job. What’s it like as a woman in this arena?
Seeing 86,000 people screaming for Australian women cricketers at the T-20 World Cup was a really big moment for me. And as a young girl growing up playing cricket, I couldn’t see it on my screen, nor were there many female commentators. There has just been a huge shift that we have seen in one generation. I have been afforded every opportunity and had bosses who championed me because I worked hard and not because I was male or female. Hopefully we are getting to that point where it’s about what you bring to the table.
What are your thoughts on women’s sports and how they’re being covered?
“It’s been a bit of a learning curve”
I actually got a bit emotional at the T-20 World Cup. I know how hard they work and also how great they are at what they do. The fact it got recognised on the scale it truly deserves is great. People are ready to see more women’s sports on their screens and the ratings reflect that as well. For young girls, it’s so much easier to believe you can achieve when you can see it, whether that is commentary or as an athlete.
How do you achieve work/life balance?
It’s mainly just putting in quality time with family and friends and staying connected. I think I was married on a Friday and then back shooting House Rules on the Monday. We were going to be honeymooning around this time but thankfully we are not because of all the travel restrictions. Married life has been really lovely but given we already lived together and have a dog not much has changed. But it was a really nice celebration. Where would be your dream honeymoon destination when you get to it?
My brother lives in Paris, but I have never been to Europe. So that would be my choice. Has working on the show inspired you to do any of your own reno work?
I haven’t spent enough time at home to really look into it. The good thing is now I’ve got on speed dial the best people in the country who can help me out! •