VAFA Media applications open for 2025

If you’re considering a career in sports media, consider VAFA Media as your next step.

VAFA’s Media team went to another level in 2024, with its combination of live game coverage, midweek podcasts, written website content and legendary The Amateur Footballer match-day program creating opportunities for up-and-coming young broadcasters and journalists to get real-life experience in community footy’s premier competition.

“There’s no substitute for hands-on experience,” said VAFA Broadcast & Content Manager, Jason Bennett.

“When I was starting out in the industry, I would have loved an opportunity to jump in and start honing my craft. You can sit on the couch and record yourself calling a game, but it’s nothing like the excitement and adrenaline you get from doing it for real when you know there’s no mulligans to go back and try it again.

“I often get asked how to break into the industry because it’s a genuinely difficult thing to do. The first thing I say is that you’ve got to get your ‘flying miles’ up, be it behind a microphone calling a game, doing special comments, boundary riding or writing regular game reviews and features.

“The best way to learn and improve is by doing and we’ve created a great support network to help fast-track development in a fun and dynamic environment.”

Paddy Grindlay works with Seven and 7plus Sport’s social media department and was looking for an opportunity to further his broadcasting skills. A chance conversation with Jason during AFL Gather Round in Adelaide led to his joining VAFA Media in 2024, and he hasn’t looked back.

“I had no experience with the VAFA, so ending up in the host/calling position for VAFA’s SEN Match of the Day was a fairly heady experience,” said Paddy.

“The Ammos community, both within Elsternwick Park and broadly through the VAFA, is just remarkable. I felt at home pretty quickly. Learning the ins and outs of preparation, calling, production and hosting from someone like Jase was invaluable.”

“I’ve never enjoyed a season of football, at any level, as much as I did in the Ammos in 2024. Saturdays were the best day of the week, with the match of the day call and all the other results falling around the Association. Throwing myself into the ins and outs of Premier B football, as well as the ‘For The Love of the Game’ podcast, got me up to speed rapidly.”

“The development everyone had in such a short time is quite astounding. We went from a pretty diverse group of people who had never worked together before, to good friends and great calling teams in what felt like a month or two. To watch everyone improve and impress was an absolute joy, and speaks to the confidence, trust and training the Association had in us to succeed.”

“VAFA Media is such a wonderful way into football media – there’s no better opportunity to try your hand at any element of sports media, whether it be calling, hosting, podcasting, producing, writing – or any form of content creation.”

“We’ve got a great group of people – we all love the game. Being able to work on a quality standard of football, and enjoy each other’s work and company, is a joy. To call Old Scotch’s drought-breaking premiership in front of 4000 screaming fans at Elsternwick Park was a surreal experience. I can’t wait for season 2025 to come around.”

“I’m so proud of Paddy and all our other 2024 newcomers,” said Bennett.

“They grew into their roles so quickly and to watch their growth and development as they came out of their shells and broadcasters and writers was so satisfying. And to know that they are all keen to return in 2025 tells me that what we’re offering is of real value to them as aspiring professionals.

“They loved working alongside seasoned pros such as Joey Pignataro and Simon Petch, who know broadcasting and the VAFA inside and out. Learning from guys with that level of talent and experience is invaluable.

“Plus, they’re all having an absolute ball along the way, which is critical because that’s what sports broadcasting is all about. It’s the most fun you can have on the other side of the fence.

“No experience is required, nor is there a particular age category we’re targeting. You might be a youngster starting out or someone with hands-on footy experience that has finished (or is taking a break from) playing or coaching and wants to explore their next step in the game.

“We had Paul Jepson join our team this season. He’s had a great career in footy but has always had the itch to try his hand at the media side of things. He jumped straight in, fitted in superbly and immediately added a new dimension to our team with his first-hand experience in the game.

“If you love footy and are ready to learn, why not give it a try? We have men’s and women’s footy to get involved in, so if you’re interested, let us know.”

Positions are voluntary and provide invaluable experience to learn from professionals and develop your skills and portfolio.

Register your interest at: [email protected]

Let us know which areas of media you’d be interested in exploring:

• Match Broadcasting
  • Play-by-Play commentary
  • Special Comments
  • Boundary Riding/Huddle interviews
• Journalism
  • Weekly match reports & round reviews
  • Feature writing
  • Electronic (news reporting)
• Social Media
  • Gameday content creation
  • Midweek content creation

If you have samples of your work, be it a recording of your commentary or analysis from the couch or written articles you’ve created, please include them with your application.