Spillane honoured with ASC’s Lifetime Achievement Award

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has presented broadcaster Debbie Spillane AM with its Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in sports journalism at the 16th annual ASC Media Awards in Sydney tonight (Thursday, 1 February 2018).Almost 200 guests attended the ASC Media Awards, with Spillane’s honour the last of 15 awards presented at the ceremony (a complete list of winners is below).Spillane was a pioneer for women in Australian sports media, the first female broadcaster hired by ABC Sport in 1984. Spillane said she was delighted by the increasing numbers and profiles of women in Australian sports media and urged the industry to continue its progress.“Sports media in the 1980s was “no-woman’s land” and I guess this award is recognition for coming through that era and surviving more than 30 years in the industry,” Spillane said. “I'm delighted and impressed that female sports reporters and broadcasters are increasing in number and profile, but I know they still face obstacles. I’d like to think this award is encouragement for the newer generation of women in the sports media, so thank you to the Australian Sports Commission for showing them that dealing with those extra challenges is valued.Best coverage of sport by an individual – broadcast media winner Kelli Underwood, left, and ASC Media Awards lifetime achievement award recipient Debbie Spillane.“In some ways I'm sorry that my career has ended just as a new wave of support is recognising the importance of women to sport.”Spillane accepted the award in front of her father Ken, who inspired her love of sport.“Dad started taking me to rugby league games when I was a toddler and I attended every grand final until I was 16. When I got my rugby league coaching certificate my grandfather, a former captain of Western Suburbs first grade team, scoffed and said I couldn't possibly be a qualified coach if I'd never played. Dad replied “Well, there are a lot of male obstetricians out there telling women how to have babies.“To be recognised with the ASC Lifetime Achievement Award puts me on a list alongside the likes of Bruce McAvaney, Roy Masters, Les Murray, Caroline Wilson and Ken Sutcliffe. It’s a bit hard to get my head around to be honest, they each rose to heights that I don't think I reached.”ASC Chair John Wylie AM commended Spillane. “There have been few like Debbie Spillane in the Australian sports media industry. But because of her distinguished career, we know there will be far more female leaders that will continue to influence and shape the future of Australian sport. The media plays an important role in connecting Australians with sport, our national pastime, and we congratulate all finalists and winners of this year’s ASC Media Awards.”

Lifetime Achievement AwardWinner: Debbie SpillaneBest reporting of an issue in sportWinner: Louise Milligan, Lisa McGregor, Trish Drum, ‘After the Game’, Four Corners, ABCHighly Commended: Mary Gearin, Sarah Curnow, ‘Abuse in Tennis’, 7.30, ABCBest coverage of sport by an individual – print mediaWinner: Konrad Marshall, Good Weekend, Fairfax MediaBest coverage of sport by an individual – broadcast mediaWinner: Kelli Underwood, Fox Sports and ABCBest coverage of sport by an individual – digital mediaWinner: Nathan Ryan, ‘Beyond the Game: Inside the NRL World’, Fox SportsBest profiling of an athlete, team or coach – broadcast mediaWinner: Adrian Brown, ‘Outsiders’, Whooshka MediaBest profiling of an athlete, team or coach – print mediaWinner: Grantlee Kieza, ‘Prized Fighter - Jeff Horn’, The Courier-MailBest coverage of a sporting event by a media organisationWinner: Fox Sports, ‘Horn v Pacquiao – World Title’Best contribution to sport by an organisation through digital mediaWinner: Seven Network, ‘Summer of 7Tennis 2017’Best sports photographyWinner: Michael Dodge, ‘Cyril Magic’, Getty ImagesBest analysis of the business of sportWinner: Jack Kerr, ‘Sports Betting Industry Analysis’, FreelanceBest coverage of women in sportWinner: Fox Footy, ‘AFL Women’s coverage’, Fox SportsHighly Commended: Swoop, News CorpBest sports journalism from rural, regional or suburban mediaWinner: Grant Edwards, ‘Multisport Mecca’, Sunshine Coast DailyBest coverage of sport for people with a disabilityWinner: Jim Callinan, ‘Oz Day 10k Wheelchair Road Race’, Sky NewsHighly Commended: Kristopher Flanders, ‘No Holding Back’, NITVBest depiction of the value of sport to Australians in a community settingWinner: Allyson Horn, ‘Afghan AFL’, ABC