Award-winning Marngrook Footy Show Returns to NITV Tonight
Thursday 21 March, 2013
THE MARNGROOK FOOTY SHOW BACK ON NITV
Award-winning Marngrook Footy Show Returns to NITV Tonight
SBS and NITV are proud to bring popular AFL program The Marngrook Footy Show back to its original home on NITV.
Premiering tonight at 7.30pm on NITV, The Marngrook Footy Show is hosted by Grant Hansen in a panel format which includes AFL greats Gilbert McAdam, Ronnie Burns, Chris Johnson and the deadly tiddas Leila Gurruwiwi and Shelley Ware.
The AFL and beyondblue will sponsor The Marngrook Footy Show on NITV and SBS.
SBS CEO and Managing Director Michael Ebeid said: “SBS and NITV have a longstanding commitment to championing the grass root sports which connect our communities.
“With NITV part of SBS we are proud to be playing a role in delivering content about Indigenous people, produced by Indigenous people to every Australian household and enabling Indigenous stories to be captured for future generations. I am delighted that we’ve been able reach an agreement, with support from the AFL and beyondblue, which brings The Marngrook Footy Show to SBS for audiences across the nation to enjoy on our dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander channel, NITV.”
NITV Channel Manager Tanya Denning said: “AFL has a strong following amongst Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and The Marngrook Footy Show was one of our most popular programs.
“Indigenous communities across Australia have always followed the unique talents of our Indigenous AFL players who play a significant role in Australia’s truly national game. It’s great to have The Marngrook Footy Show back on NITV, the home of Indigenous sports.”
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou said: “Given the strong bond that exists between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Australian football, the AFL is proud to support the return of The Marngrook Footy Show to NITV.
“Our game has benefitted enormously over many decades from the exciting talent of Indigenous players and it is fitting that there continues to be a regular football program that both showcases this contribution and celebrates the game.”
beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell said: “We’re proud to partner with SBS and NITV through The Marngrook Footy Show to raise awareness about depression and anxiety among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote messages about keeping strong and reducing the impact of these conditions among these communities and the thousands of footy fans who tune in each week.”
The Marngrook Footy Show is a sports entertainment panel show that gives an Indigenous take on the AFL with a strong focus on Indigenous contribution and achievement. The weekly show is jam packed with footy information on the teams for each round as well as news and analysis of footy issues and detailed match previews. The show pays tribute to the Indigenous pioneers of the game with feature stories outlining the huge contribution made by Aboriginal people.
A key feature of the program are reporters Leila Gurruwiwi and Shelley Ware who hit the road every week to bring exclusive interviews with players, stories from all the clubs and Tiddas tips all from a women’s perspective.
The original concept of the program was developed by host Grant Hansen in the mid 1990s when he was working as a radio announcer in Melbourne. The keen football follower was disappointed by the lack of Indigenous football commentators and hosts in both TV and radio that he started his own football program. In 2007 The Marngrook Footy Show was commissioned by NITV as one of its first commissioned programs.
The Marngrook Footy Show will broadcast on NITV starting tonight, Thursday 21st March at 7.30pm and later on SBS 2 (times vary).
For more media information contact:
Chris Bonney, NITV, 0458 027 242 / [email protected]
Jessica Harris, SBS, 0409 188 743/ [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS
NITV is available free-to-air on channel 34 and on Foxtel and Austar Channel 180.
About The Marngrook Footy Show team
Gilbert McAdam made a name for himself in Australian football by becoming the first, Indigenous player to win the Magarey medal in South Australia’s SANFL competition. Originally from Alice Springs he went on to carve out a highly successful AFL career with 53 games for St Kilda between 1991 and 1993 and then a further 58 games with the Brisbane Bears from 1994 until 1996.
Ronnie Burns was born in the Tiwi Islands and is a spectacular left foot goal sneak. Drafted by Geelong after impressing AFL scouts with performances in the WAFL team West Perth made his AFL debut in 1996. In 2003 he went to play with Adelaide and spent 2 seasons there kicking a further 23 goals. Ronnie also played with a number of country and suburban clubs that included a coaching stint with Berwick in Victoria.
Chris Johnson is a triple premiership player with the Brisbane Lions and grew up in Melbourne’s northern suburb of Broadmeadows playing for the local Jacana football team. In 1994 Johnson played his first game for Fitzroy. At the end of the 1996 season he was one of 8 Fitzroy players chosen to join the newly formed Brisbane Lions and spent a couple of seasons finding his feet before settling down in defence. Johnson retired at the end of the 2007 season after playing 264 games.
Leila Gurruwiwi originally from Elcho Island and Gove, North East Arnhem Land, has lived in Victoria for most of her life. Leila has worked on The Marngrook Footy Show as a Reporter and News reader since the show began in 2007. She has a great understanding and love for the game and is a keen Western Bulldogs supporter.
Shelley Ware is originally from South Australia and follows the Carlton football club. One of the original cast members of Channel 7’s “Live and Kicking” she was also a presenter on the Marngrook radio show for a number of years before taking a break to raise a family. Shelley returned to The Marngrook Footy Show as a Reporter and Presenter of the News and Tiddas Tips.