FootyGoss :: Club News - General WAFL [Local stations integral to promotion of the game: Part 2]

Local stations integral to promotion of the game: Part 2

By Merinda Bishop

The dominance of sport and in particular, Australian Rules Football on television is undeniable. In saying this though, how many times have you expected a game to be aired on television and it’s not? For whatever reason, the game you are hoping to tune into will be a delayed telecast or not broadcast full stop.  Often there are only a few consistently reliable sources who will give football lovers what they want and when they want it. 

As WAFL coverage on television is minimal, sufficient radio coverage of our local competition is a must. With live weekend coverage and two weekly programs dedicated to reporting on all the action from the weekend’s games, Sport FM 91.3 has got all your WAFL news covered. 

Sport FM has mixed both youth and experience to create a team of experts who provide listeners with a comprehensive analysis of weekly WAFL issues on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. Station Manager, Jason Datillo, revealed to Footy Goss his confidence in what the station provides for its listeners:

“We feel with our two programs that we have, with WAFL World and the Monday WAFL, from a student’s point of view and from the experts with WAFL world, coupled with our coverage of the actual games…we give the most complete coverage of WAFL on Perth radio,” he said.

The Monday WAFL program is an opportunity for Edith Cowan University students to gain experience in both presentation and production of a sport radio segment.  “They do a tremendous job, Mr Datillo said with enthusiasm. “It’s the type of program that’s providing a training ground for them because these students wish to progress into other media.” The segment, aired from 4:30pm includes special features and interviews with players and coaches all carried out by the students. 

For an expert’s look at the competition, tune into Tuesday’s WAFL program, WAFL World. Hosted by Shayne Hope, Chris Pike and Ryan Miller the hour long program is about as detailed as you can get.  Mr Datillo revealed that the program has been a solid part of its WAFL coverage for the past few years, only recently moving to the drive-time time slot of 5pm in the hope of giving more people the opportunity to tune in.  WAFL World includes a well detailed analysis of the pressing WAFL issues as well as airing an average of two to three player/coach interviews recorded from the weekend’s games.  “We’ve assembled quite a credible and very informative line-up when it comes to the WAFL.  They get straight to the heart of the matter which we feel provides for an entertaining and informative broadcast,” Mr Datillo said. 

The station also provides live commentary from Dave Lindsay, Chris Mitsopolous and Corbin Middlemas for an average of one WAFL match each weekend. Mr Datillo spoke highly of all three although giving special mention to youngster Mr Middlemas, believing he has a tremendous future ahead of him. 

With the commitment to WAFL obvious on local radio stations, who needs a television anyway!