E113 | Melodie Robinson
Episode summary | Melodie Robinson
Melodie Robinson is a former Black Fern and now TVNZ's General Manager, Sports and Events where she is leading the sport and event strategy for TVNZ’s coverage of global sporting events.
She played for the Black Ferns in 18 tests from 1996 to 2002 winning two world cups along the way. While playing rugby at the elite level, she gained a BA from the University of Otago, as well as studying Journalism in Wellington. Her first work was in radio - working at the press gallery in Wellington covering politics before eventually moving to Sky TV in 2002 where she became the world's first female rugby commentator.
She was a key member of SKY Sports’ commentary team covering major sports for many years, including Olympics and Commonwealth Games, rugby and netball World Cup tournaments, Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup rugby. She is also the founder of The Wonderful Group, which supports women to advance their position and influence in the sports media industry.
Show notes | Melodie Robinson
1:52: The Black Clash
5:54: Could Mel make it on the Alternative Commentary Collective?
10:21: Reflecting on an impressive CV via an incredibly supportive mum and dad
16:00: Melodie on losing your parents (and Celebrity Treasure Island)
21:51: Cutting her teeth in the parliament press gallery
27:38: A beauty queen who started scraps on the footy field
31:32: Mel the scarfie: University and rugby in Otago
34:48: The early days of the Black Ferns
41:31: How a university research project set a career in motion
43:49: A phone call to Murray Deaker leads to an opportunity with Sky TV
49:44: Starting out at Sky TV
52:20: Behind the mic from a woman’s perspective
56:25: A Steve Walsh interlude
57:38: William and Kate’s wedding night
1:03:11: Women on screen: Laura McGoldrick, Rikki Swannell and Ruby Tui
1:09:11: The importance of appearance on TV
1:11:03: Losing two greats: Willie Lose and Va’aiga Tuigamala
1:17:05 The current state of women’s sports coverage and the Black Ferns win
1:24:37: Life as TVNZ General Manager Sports and Events
1:30:22: Steve’s wounding golf chat
1:32:04: Last words from Steve, Seamus and Melodie
