Written Articles/Published Work
In this section, I have included a few written articles of my published work from my time as a Reporter at the Commonwealth Games, and as well from miscellaneous projects that I have completed over the past couple of years.
Women In Media
Resilience, thick skin and a true sense of self is all it takes.
By Sakara Bell
“I’d throw open the doors and say the more women the better in sport journalism. The more young, energetic sophisticated smart women that we have working in sport is only a good thing.”
Fox Sports Journalist and TV presenter, Yvonne Sampson says she wasn’t lucky, it was timing.
“There were incredible female sports journalists before me and there are incredible women
coming after me. For me it was timing, Rugby League were ready for a female voice,” Sampson told the Women in Media audience on Tuesday night.
“Rugby League always meant family and I’m incredibly lucky to have a career in Rugby League, something I love,” she said.
Yvonne Sampson was one of three inspiring women accompanied by Sam Squires and Libby Ticket who were on the panel for Tuesday nights event.
They spoke about their breakthroughs, their inspiration and insights on how to be at the top of your game.
The audience considered of young aspiring women in the sport media industry.
Sam Squires says she had to learn to have a thick skin.
“I’d say confidence and a thick skin, it’s hard being the first, it’s hard being different but you have to in the media landscape.”
While Sampson said that it all comes down to resilience, a true sense of self and core values as it’s these things that will make you a good sports journalist.
“There’s been a big a shift, not just in having a presence of women but having respectful recognition of women, which is a big difference, she said.
It’s phenomenal to watch this new era unfold and to be a part of that.”
As a past athlete, Libby Trickett said she was extremely lucky in being positive in the public eye previously, however moving into the media was hard to adjust to.
“The amount of Instagram and Facebook comments and all these things that I had to get used to was really difficult, but as long as you stay authentic and strong it will always work out in your favour, strong is the new pretty,” she said.
While women in the media are grasping onto this new era and can pretend that women and men are looked at the same way in the public eye, they aren’t.
However, Ms. Sampson said that women are making progress and having more diversity, seeing different colours on to, representations and last names.
“Stay true to what you know is right, listen to your gut instinct. Know that you don’t have to be a part of the men’s club because it’s so much more satisfying being your own woman. You don’t have to change to fit in with them, their catching up to fit in with us,” she said.
Ms. Squires said that we are not the novelty, we are becoming the norm.
Women's First in Rugby Sevens
By Sakara Bell
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History was made yesterday when the Women’s Rugby Sevens made its debut as a Commonwealth Games event for the first time.
This is also the first time that the Games have had equal 50/50 medal opportunities for men and women.
Eight nations are competing for gold and the teams couldn’t be more excited.
Australian Rugby Sevens team member Ellia Green says being part of the team is a great privilege, and she was proud to represent Australia in the first women’s debut.
“What we have done for women in sport all around the world means more to me than any medal because the change is something that will live on forever,” Green said.
“Women in sport have come a very long way since I’ve been playing rugby and since growing up as a kid.
“Rugby sevens wasn’t available to me when I was younger. Rugby union was played but wasn’t popular with girls.
“Finally sports and women are being recognised in our game - rugby sevens is the fastest growing sport in the world and it’s the most exciting game.”
She said making the team wasn’t easy, and she had to learn the skills of Rugby Sevens the hard way.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” she said.
“I learnt this five years ago coming into the game with the skills of my speed, but I had to learn to quickly adapt in terms of my fitness and my strength.
“I had a lot to learn.”
Green was adopted as a baby from Fiji. She said her Mum was pivotal in encouraging her to pursue sport at an elite level.
“She’s given me the privilege of giving me a life here in Australia, helping me achieve my dreams and goals, she’s my rock, she continues to watch me and encourage me,” she said.
English Rugby Sevens team member Amy Wilson-Hardy said including women’s Rugby Sevens in the Games has pushed the sport forward and made it more well known internationally.
“It’s not just rugby – it’s all the teams that are pushing forward and challenging people’s perceptions and that’s what makes it really positive.” Wilson-Hardy said.
“I’m really fortunate that I’m playing in a female sport.
“Sevens is such a great sport. We know all the girls so well and we’ve played the teams before in the World Series. There is a massive respect for every team we play.”
Canadian Rugby Sevens team member Ghislaine Landry said the significance of the sport being chosen for the Commonwealth Games goes well beyond this event.
“It’s really exciting to be making history - it’s a big step forward for women in sport.” she said.
“It’s such a humbling experience to be inspiring to young girls to follow their dreams, we have to take a step back and we get to see the impact we are leaving and it’s just the best feeling and I’m so proud to be a part of such a big shift in the world.”
The men’s Rugby Sevens first featured in the Commonwealth Games program in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 and this is the sixth time that the men’s team has competed.
Strange Habits a key part of preparation
By Sakara Bell
Athletes can be a superstitious bunch, with many admitting to unusual habits in the lead up to competing.
Some say they simply can’t be at their best without wearing a certain item or completing an odd ritual before taking the stage.
Australian Women’s Rugby 7s player Ellia Green said her braids must be tight and tied a certain way or she just can’t focus.
“I’m not really sure why I do it, it’s just something I’ve always done,” she said.
English swimmer Jarvis Parkinson said he always sticks to the warm-up pool and never the race pool before a big event - and that’s just the start of it.
“The race pool is for racing only,” he said. “I set up my blocks, I put water in my mouth, splash myself and spit water in either side of the lane, and I’m ready.
“Also, I always use the second urinal in the bathroom. I’m not sure why - it’s just a habit. I’d feel weird if I didn’t.”
Canadian hurdler Sage Watson has worn red lipstick as part of her race ‘outfit’ for the past two years.
“I started wearing the red lipstick because I liked it, and it made me feel strong and race ready when I put it on," Watson said. “It’s become part of my uniform now.”
As for Gold Coast’s very own, Australian track and field athlete Murray Goodwin, he wears one sock inside out on race day.
“I don’t know why, but once you start something you just can’t stop it,” he said.
The Player that got left behind
By Sakara Bell
For every athlete in the Village there are scores of others whose dreams have been shattered by last minute injuries and other obstacles.
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Aussie Sevens rising star, Simon Kennewell, has been left heartbroken after being ruled out of the Commonwealth Games tournament after rupturing his ACL earlier in the 2018 season.
USA coach, Mike Friday, said Kennewell was earmarked and definitely one to watch for the World Series.
Aussie 7’s coach, Andy Friend, said that he has been one of the most improved players and he is the one the opposition both fear and respect.
“Simon is a fighter, he will come back bigger and better,” he said.
The following athletes from around the Commonwealth are unfortunately ruled out due to following circumstances;
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Canadian sprinter, Andre De Grasse -
“The Commonwealth Games was going to be a great opportunity to display my talents to a passionate fan base in Australia,” De Grasse said.
“I wouldn’t want to go in there at any less than my best and for that reason we have
made the difficult decision to withdraw from the games.”
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Scotland’s track and field athletes
Andy But chart- Fractured Navicula. “I am heartbroken to miss Gold Coast 2018! It definitely sucks and I won’t be racing for a while, but I’m going to come back faster, fitter and stronger than ever!”
Jax Thoirs- Blood clot issue affect his health, now has to undergo surgery
Emma Nuttal- ‘Absolutely devastated to announce my withdrawal from Gold Coast 2018 due tendinopathy in my left knee.” -
South African sprinter, Wayde van Niekerk -injured knee “I have faith that, God willing, I’ll be able to race again later next year. Full recovery is going to be crucial, so I’ll be patient, but I will work as hard as I can to get back on the track as soon as possible.”
21 years of age, Simon Kennewell grew up in the Northern Beaches of Sydney with a dream of playing Rugby Union representing Australia in the green and gold.
A series of powerful performances at the high-class event in Apia in September 2015 proved to Kennewell deserved a contract in the National Sevens program.
Kennewell played in the World Rugby U20’s World Championship in June 2016.
Once landing the Rugby 7’s contract, Kennewell soon learnt the incredible opportunities that came with this prestigious role in sport.
“To have been given the opportunity to take part in the Commonwealth Games is an absolute privilege.
It is the pinnacle of many sports behind the Olympics, so to be able to represent Australia on the Gold Coast in front of family and friends is indescribable.” Simon said.
Only a short eight weeks ago during a training session against the Wales 7’s team in Sydney while preparing for the 7s world series leg, Kennewell was ruled out after a ruptured ACL.
“The initial thought is that I was only going to miss Sydney as at the time, I didn’t really know the severity of the injury, then I was in shock and completely devastated.
I’ll miss the Commonwealth Games, HSBC World Series, the 7s Wold Cup.
All of the hours and hours of hard work that disappear in a midst of heart beat…”
Every athlete puts extra pressure on themselves while preparing for such a big event like the Commonwealth Games.
While hopefully injuries are somewhat infrequent, they can trigger or unmask mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
The athletes have to mentality and physically prepare for possibly having a career-ending injury.
Simon Kennewell said, “I felt like I was mourning a death- I know that’s pretty extreme but when your dream gets taken away from you like that, mentally I wasn’t okay- I couldn’t talk about it for quite some time.”
Kennewell is currently going through rehabilitation to come back bigger and better for the 2019 season that is quickly approaching.
Attitude and positivity plays a key part in getting back up when you are down.
Falling down is a part of the parcel, but being surrounded by the right people, thinking of all the support that has been given really is an impact on its own.
“Now if I ever fall back down, I just think about all the message of support I have received from people all around the world wishing me well. I use this to drive me,” he said.
2018 has brought success to the Aussie 7s, they exceeded expectations by ending a six-year World Series Cup drought by taking the win.
They also claimed third place in Hamilton.
The final preparation for the Commonwealth Games is naming the final squad of 13 to travel to the Gold Coast to fight for the gold will also be known later this week.
England, Samoa and Jamaica are all on the radar, but the Aussies are keeping positive to bring the gold home