Women's Australian Rules Football Radio (WARF Radio) is a volunteer run production, helping to promote women playing Aussie Rules in not only Australia, but also around the world. WARF Radio also provides aspiring journalists, and current or past women's footballers, an oppourtunity to develop their sports broadcasting skills.
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"You guys [WARF Radio] are amazing. You supported women's footy when no else cared, so thank you" |
Our History
The initial idea of WARF Radio began back in April 2013 when 3WBC's VFL play-by-play caller Peter Holden recieved a late in the week phone call, asking him if he could pair up with then SEN1116 reporter Anthony Laughton and provide commentary to the video stream of the annual ANZAC Day eve match between the VWFL All-Stars and the Australian Defence Force.
Researching for the call, Holden discovered the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL) were every one to two weeks live video streaming their games, however most matches would be without commentary - thus a seed of an idea was planted.
However, during the summer of 2013/14 the VWFL would hand control of its competition over to AFL Victoria, and operating initially with limited resources, it was then deemed financially best to wind-back the video streaming.
It was May 2014 though when a chance meeting would lead the creation of the then named 'VWFL Radio'. Following a Box Hill v Port Melbourne 3WBC VFL match broadcast, former Geelong-based VFL commentator Daniel Hill would catch up with Holden in the Box Hill social rooms, expressing a willingness to call football again, since his relocation to Melbourne's Eastern suburbs.
After a few beers the decision was made; Holden would go out and purchase the broadcast equipment (and acquire some soon to be thrown out headsets from 3WBC) and the duo would begin commentating the VWFL from the following month.
The first ever match broadcast by VWFL Radio, with Holden and Hill on commentary, would be the Round 6 Premier Division match between Melbourne University and Darebin on Sunday June 15th 2014. For the record, Darebin won by 49 points, with future Western Bulldogs AFLW captain Katie Brennan being adjudged 'Best on Ground' for her three goal effort - winning herself a $50 Pancake Parlour voucher (the prizes also coming out of Holden's back pocket)!
Researching for the call, Holden discovered the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL) were every one to two weeks live video streaming their games, however most matches would be without commentary - thus a seed of an idea was planted.
However, during the summer of 2013/14 the VWFL would hand control of its competition over to AFL Victoria, and operating initially with limited resources, it was then deemed financially best to wind-back the video streaming.
It was May 2014 though when a chance meeting would lead the creation of the then named 'VWFL Radio'. Following a Box Hill v Port Melbourne 3WBC VFL match broadcast, former Geelong-based VFL commentator Daniel Hill would catch up with Holden in the Box Hill social rooms, expressing a willingness to call football again, since his relocation to Melbourne's Eastern suburbs.
After a few beers the decision was made; Holden would go out and purchase the broadcast equipment (and acquire some soon to be thrown out headsets from 3WBC) and the duo would begin commentating the VWFL from the following month.
The first ever match broadcast by VWFL Radio, with Holden and Hill on commentary, would be the Round 6 Premier Division match between Melbourne University and Darebin on Sunday June 15th 2014. For the record, Darebin won by 49 points, with future Western Bulldogs AFLW captain Katie Brennan being adjudged 'Best on Ground' for her three goal effort - winning herself a $50 Pancake Parlour voucher (the prizes also coming out of Holden's back pocket)!
Throughout 2014, the then VWFL Radio would broadcast VWFL Matches across the Premier Division, as well as Divisions 1, 2 and 3, taking themselves and their equipment (almost always on public transport) to community grounds all over Melbourne.
The new women's football commentary team would also have the honour of calling at (the then) Etihad Stadium, broadcasting the 2014 AFL Women's Exhibition Match.
Two AFL International Cup women's matches were also covered in the debut year.
Joining the commentary across the season would be future Crocmedia AFLW Play-by-Play Caller Jo Wotton, future Fox Sports W-League Caller Anna Harrington, future North Melbourne Football Operations Manager Laura Kane, AFL Victoria's Darren Flanigan, Eastern Devils footballer Olivia Crowe, Melbourne Uni footballer Ash Bye and soon to become permanent members of the WARF Radio team, Matthew Cocks and Katie Lambeski.
The season would conclude with VWFL Radio providing commentary for the video stream of all six VWFL divisions' Grand Finals at Coburg City Oval.
The new women's football commentary team would also have the honour of calling at (the then) Etihad Stadium, broadcasting the 2014 AFL Women's Exhibition Match.
Two AFL International Cup women's matches were also covered in the debut year.
Joining the commentary across the season would be future Crocmedia AFLW Play-by-Play Caller Jo Wotton, future Fox Sports W-League Caller Anna Harrington, future North Melbourne Football Operations Manager Laura Kane, AFL Victoria's Darren Flanigan, Eastern Devils footballer Olivia Crowe, Melbourne Uni footballer Ash Bye and soon to become permanent members of the WARF Radio team, Matthew Cocks and Katie Lambeski.
The season would conclude with VWFL Radio providing commentary for the video stream of all six VWFL divisions' Grand Finals at Coburg City Oval.
Prior to the 2015 VWFL season, Holden and Hill made the decision to move their volunteer operation from the semi-independent 'VWFL Radio' and align themselves with independent women's football website Girls Play Footy.
The move saw the commentary team re-brand to 'Girls Play Footy Radio' and in February of that year, Holden launch the 'Girls Play Footy Podcast'. Members of the radio team would also then begin to contribute to the Girls Play Footy site, eventually leading to more than 17,000 Facebook followers and almost 8,000 Twitter followers for the brand.
The 2015 season would see the radio coverage focus solely on the Premier Division of the VWFL, with Cocks becoming a more permanent presence alongside Holden in the call, as well as the debuts of future GWS Giants footballer Tanya Hetherington and Morphettville Park (SAWFL) footballer Kristy Williams.
Along with the VWFL coverage, two AFL Women's Exhibition Matches would be covered, the VWFL All Stars v ADF match and two senior women's interstate matches - including one at Subiaco, where Holden along with WA footballers Ashlea Renshaw and Julie Nichols would witness Western Australia become the first state to defeat Victoria in senior women's football.
One of the technical highlights of the year, would see the team split across two grounds for the final round, calling the St Kilda Sharks v Eastern Devils match, while providing live crosses to Melbourne University v Diamond Creek.
The final four would be decided in the dying seconds of both matches!
The move saw the commentary team re-brand to 'Girls Play Footy Radio' and in February of that year, Holden launch the 'Girls Play Footy Podcast'. Members of the radio team would also then begin to contribute to the Girls Play Footy site, eventually leading to more than 17,000 Facebook followers and almost 8,000 Twitter followers for the brand.
The 2015 season would see the radio coverage focus solely on the Premier Division of the VWFL, with Cocks becoming a more permanent presence alongside Holden in the call, as well as the debuts of future GWS Giants footballer Tanya Hetherington and Morphettville Park (SAWFL) footballer Kristy Williams.
Along with the VWFL coverage, two AFL Women's Exhibition Matches would be covered, the VWFL All Stars v ADF match and two senior women's interstate matches - including one at Subiaco, where Holden along with WA footballers Ashlea Renshaw and Julie Nichols would witness Western Australia become the first state to defeat Victoria in senior women's football.
One of the technical highlights of the year, would see the team split across two grounds for the final round, calling the St Kilda Sharks v Eastern Devils match, while providing live crosses to Melbourne University v Diamond Creek.
The final four would be decided in the dying seconds of both matches!
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"The team do such a great job in the comprehensive coverage of the women’s game here and globally" |
2016 saw the creation of the Victorian Football League Women's competition (VFLW) with the previous year's six VWFL Premier Division teams and the top four VWFL Division One teams taking part.
Kristy Williams relocation to Melbourne would see her join the commentary team as a permanent member, while CDFNL Play-by-Play caller Max Blake joined to help cover Geelong-based matches.
In the competition's debut year the team called the first ever draw (Melbourne University v St Kilda), the Knox Falcons' only win of the year, and the moment future Collingwood & North Melbourne AFLW footballer Moana Hope kicked her 100th goal of the season.
The 'Girls Play Footy Radio' coverage would again go interstate, with Holden joining future AFL Media journalist Jessica Webster and Brisbane Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich in calling the Queensland Women's Australian Football League Grand Final.
In October, Holden would fly over to the United States and team up with USAFL Media Manager (and Podcast Reporter) Brian Barrish, to provide live coverage of every single women's match across both divisions at the USAFL Nationals in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
The following year was the most historic for women's football, with the debut of the AFL Women's competition. 'Girls Play Footy Radio' was fortunate enough to be permitted to broadcast the practice match between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, two weeks prior to the AFLW opening round.
Kristy Williams relocation to Melbourne would see her join the commentary team as a permanent member, while CDFNL Play-by-Play caller Max Blake joined to help cover Geelong-based matches.
In the competition's debut year the team called the first ever draw (Melbourne University v St Kilda), the Knox Falcons' only win of the year, and the moment future Collingwood & North Melbourne AFLW footballer Moana Hope kicked her 100th goal of the season.
The 'Girls Play Footy Radio' coverage would again go interstate, with Holden joining future AFL Media journalist Jessica Webster and Brisbane Lions AFLW coach Craig Starcevich in calling the Queensland Women's Australian Football League Grand Final.
In October, Holden would fly over to the United States and team up with USAFL Media Manager (and Podcast Reporter) Brian Barrish, to provide live coverage of every single women's match across both divisions at the USAFL Nationals in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
The following year was the most historic for women's football, with the debut of the AFL Women's competition. 'Girls Play Footy Radio' was fortunate enough to be permitted to broadcast the practice match between Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, two weeks prior to the AFLW opening round.
During the AFLW season, a call was put out for more volunteers to join the team. Answering the call was Melbourne University footballer Niamh Felton, 3RRR presenter Andrew Donnison, future Crocmedia Digital Content Coordinator Nic Negrepontis and future ABC Grandstand Cadet Lucy Watkin.
2017 also saw the beginning of a new partnership, with the then 'Girls Play Footy Radio' reaching a handshake agreement with RSN927 for both the podcast (mid-week show) and live VFLW coverage to air on their DAB+ Digital Radio Channel 'Carnival'.
The first VFLW game to air on Carnival was the Round 2 match between Geelong and Seaford in Ocean Grove, and as result of the VFLW coverage being carried on digital radio, each match featured a one hour pre-game show - something not matched then or since by any of the official AFLW broadcasters.
The season also saw the departure of all bar two of the original community clubs from the top tier of Victorian senior women's football, consigning them to history, but thankfully some of their finest moments called and archived by our team.
Holden, Cocks, Watkin and Barrish also provided commentary for the 2017 AFL International Cup coverage, as well as the USA Liberty's tour of Melbourne.
To round out the year, the USAFL Nationals were agained covered, with more than a dozen women's matches recorded for YouTube.
2017 also saw the beginning of a new partnership, with the then 'Girls Play Footy Radio' reaching a handshake agreement with RSN927 for both the podcast (mid-week show) and live VFLW coverage to air on their DAB+ Digital Radio Channel 'Carnival'.
The first VFLW game to air on Carnival was the Round 2 match between Geelong and Seaford in Ocean Grove, and as result of the VFLW coverage being carried on digital radio, each match featured a one hour pre-game show - something not matched then or since by any of the official AFLW broadcasters.
The season also saw the departure of all bar two of the original community clubs from the top tier of Victorian senior women's football, consigning them to history, but thankfully some of their finest moments called and archived by our team.
Holden, Cocks, Watkin and Barrish also provided commentary for the 2017 AFL International Cup coverage, as well as the USA Liberty's tour of Melbourne.
To round out the year, the USAFL Nationals were agained covered, with more than a dozen women's matches recorded for YouTube.
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"I wouldn't be in the position I am today without WARF Radio - Pete and the team give everyone the greatest opportunity to try broadcasting for fun or to develop your skills into something more. Plus it's so much fun. Come be part of the team to experience it first hand!" |
2018 saw the doubling of the team's AFLW practice match coverage, calling the Collingwood v Melbourne at Olympic Park Oval and the Western Bulldogs v Carlton in Ballarat.
However, with the eventual closure of the Girls Play Footy site, a new name was required for the volunteer team and in April the name Women's Australian Rules Football Radio - or WARF Radio for short - was chosen.
A new name also meant a hard road ahead, having to start all social media presence essentially from scratch and also having to introduce the women's footy community to a new brand, after more than three years under the previous identity.
It was not all gloom, as the standard of commentary went up another level with the introduction of Brunswick Renegades footballer Sasha Dougherty, future Crocmedia Digital Content writer Julia Montesano and Sydney women's football legend Lisa Roper.
The season also saw Lucy Watkin make the step up from Match Analyst to Play-by-Play caller, while the Grand Final call featured six women as part of the day's seven member calling team.
It was a big year for the Women's Australian Rules Football Podcast, with it's first ever outside broadcast at The Footy Almanac's Women's Footy Pie Night, plus the airing of the 100th Episode - a special featuring the founders of the Sydney Women's AFL, WAWFL and SAWFL.
In our third year of the assisting the coverage of the USAFL Nationals, the Women's Division One final was aired on ESPN3.
However, with the eventual closure of the Girls Play Footy site, a new name was required for the volunteer team and in April the name Women's Australian Rules Football Radio - or WARF Radio for short - was chosen.
A new name also meant a hard road ahead, having to start all social media presence essentially from scratch and also having to introduce the women's footy community to a new brand, after more than three years under the previous identity.
It was not all gloom, as the standard of commentary went up another level with the introduction of Brunswick Renegades footballer Sasha Dougherty, future Crocmedia Digital Content writer Julia Montesano and Sydney women's football legend Lisa Roper.
The season also saw Lucy Watkin make the step up from Match Analyst to Play-by-Play caller, while the Grand Final call featured six women as part of the day's seven member calling team.
It was a big year for the Women's Australian Rules Football Podcast, with it's first ever outside broadcast at The Footy Almanac's Women's Footy Pie Night, plus the airing of the 100th Episode - a special featuring the founders of the Sydney Women's AFL, WAWFL and SAWFL.
In our third year of the assisting the coverage of the USAFL Nationals, the Women's Division One final was aired on ESPN3.
Present Day (2019)
The year kicked off with a double-header coverage of the 2019 AFLW practice matches, with Carlton v Geelong at Princes Park and the Western Bulldogs v Collingwood in Ballarat covered live.
A handshake agreement was also reached with new online broadcaster GoFooty.Live to carry their coverage of Geelong VFLW matches, with the potential of 50 VFL Women's matches to be broadcast on digital radio in Melbourne.
... and now there's our new logo and new WARFRadio.com website. We hope you like it :)
A handshake agreement was also reached with new online broadcaster GoFooty.Live to carry their coverage of Geelong VFLW matches, with the potential of 50 VFL Women's matches to be broadcast on digital radio in Melbourne.
... and now there's our new logo and new WARFRadio.com website. We hope you like it :)