Multi-media vote counts in 2021
Wimmera and Horsham District football and netball leagues are set to enter a new world of multi-media presentation for their annual best-and-fairest counts.
ACE Radio has gone into partnership with both competitions to present senior vote counts from its 1089 3WM Horsham studio.
Live online streams via 3WM’S Youtube channel will include round-by-round counts as well as interviews with officials and guests.
Shirtfront and Local Footy Live presenters Grant Kuchel and Brian ‘Cobba’ Cassidy will join Horsham content director Adam Roche for the presentation.
Horsham District’s senior Dellar Medal football and A Grade netball counts from 7pm on September 6 will include both a live radio broadcast on 3WM as well as online streaming.
Wimmera league’s Toohey Medal football and Hatcher Medal netball counts the following Friday, on September 10, will be limited to an online stream because of AFL finals radio commitments.
The presentation is in response to uncertainty about community gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Roche said the situation had opened an opportunity to explore something new in the region.
“This is quite exciting. Given the hurdles we’re experiencing at the moment, particularly with limitations on crowds in venues, it’s encouraging
“Given the hurdles we’re experiencing at the moment, particularly with limitations on crowds in venues, it’s encouraging us to delve into alternative styles of broadcasting” – Adam Roche
us to delve into alternative styles of broadcasting,” he said.
“We traditionally broadcast live vote counts from venues, but on this occasion it is coming out of the studios to be on people’s video screens as well as across the airwaves. We’ll be using Zoom and Powerpoint for presentations and having interviews, so it’s going to be very different.
“Much of what is happening is based on timing. We were keen to also broadcast the Wimmera counts on radio as well, but we’re committed to covering AFL.
“We will have further details about how people can join the fun and excitement in the next couple of weeks.”
The Weekly Advertiser and radio stations 3WM and MIXX FM work closely with both leagues.
Horsham general manager Brendan O’loughlin said the station was happy to work with the leagues.
“We were keen through partnerships to be able to find a way to still deliver such momentous occasions, but in a COVID-SAFE environment,” he said.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing how it goes.”