AMANDA SHALALA

As a female sports journalist, Amanda Shalala knows there’s a while to go before women have parity in sports, but coming into the new year, she’s hopeful change is in the air. “I was a sports-loving kid but female role models were largely invisible when I was growing up, so to see them receive greater recognition and exposure now means so much to me,” she says. Writing this month about the Australian Open, Shalala will be watching one sportswoman in particular. “I can’t wait to see Ash Barty in action. She had such a brilliant 2018, and at 22 it’s clear her best is still to come. She’s the hero Australian tennis needs right now.”