Sport Archives - Word for Word

Campbell Harrison

Jason — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 07:00:57 +0000

Every week Word for Word explores the stories, experiences, and perspectives of extraordinary LGBTQIA+ individuals. From artists to advocates, quiet heroes to loud trailblazers, we’re shining a light on the lives and lessons of those who are making a difference in our community.

Join host Jason Heath each week as he delves into the triumphs, struggles, and achievements of our guests, and discover the beauty of their authentic selves. Get ready to laugh, cry, and be inspired – because on Word for Word, every voice matters, and every story deserves to be heard.

This week’s guest – Campbell Harrison

Today we are excited to have Campbell Harrison, the trailblazing Australian sport climber who’s reaching new heights!

From his humble beginnings in Melbourne to representing his country on the world stage, Campbell’s journey is an inspiration.

With a passion for climbing and a commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, Campbell is a true champion in every sense.

Join us as we follow his remarkable story, from early years climbing the walls of his local climbing gym to the Olympic podium and discover what drives this talented athlete to push beyond limits and defy gravity.

Get ready to be inspired by Campbell Harrison’s remarkable climb to success!

Photo credit: Kyra Condie

Tune into Word for Word every Sunday night at 6pm on JOY 94.9, or across Australia on the Community Radio Network every Monday at 7:04pm

This episode may contains discussions of sensitive personal experiences that may be triggering for some listeners. There is support available. Click here for a list of support services.

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Bec Goddard

Tom — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 02:00:49 +0000

Joining Lisa Daniel on Word for word today is guest Rebecca ‘Bec’ Goddard. Bec OAM is an Australian rules football coach currently serving as the head coach of the Hawthorn Football Club in the AFLW competition. Goddard also previously coached Adelaide Football Club in the AFL Women’s competition between 2017 and 2018, winning the 2017 AFL Women’s Grand Final while working full-time for the Australian Federal Police. Bec played  Australian rules football  as a junior until the age of 13 before the absence of a girls competition forced her to stop. When Canberra got its first women’s competition seven years later, she returned to playing for Belconnen at that level before a broken leg at age 29 forced her to swap her playing career for one in umpiring and coaching. Outside of football, Bec previously worked for the  Australian Federal Police  where she attained the rank of Superintendent, at the time of her retirement she was attached to ACT Policing in charge on Police Communications. She retired from the Australian Federal Police in 2022 to pursue her football career full time with Hawthorn Football Club.

Bec holds a degree in Journalism and once worked as a media advisory in the  Labor  government of the 1990s. Goddard also holds a degree in  Persian language  from the  Australian National University.

Word for Word is hosted by Lisa Daniel on JOY Media, produced by Ellen Spalding, and podcasted by Jacqueline Shields and Thomas Olejniczak. This show originally aired February 11th, 2023.

For further information head to the JOY Media webpage, Word for Word podcast page or Facebook or email Lisa Daniel and the team at Word for Word.

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Fiona Newton

Tom — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 02:00:53 +0000

Joining Lisa Daniel on Word for Word this week is Fiona Newton. Fiona’s formative years were spent in a fundamentalist religion which significantly controlled her beliefs, sense of self and social life. She began questioning aspects of the belief system at 18 and was eventually asked to leave the church at 28.

Fiona has since taken the positive aspects of her experiences into her current life as host of award-winning Joy program Chicks Talking Footy. She is also the manager of the famous Fitzroy market and is the manager of the Joy Academy.

She is the mother to a 5-year-old son with her ex-partner and Fiona’s journey from cult to living her true life is an inspiring story of surviving and thriving.

Word for Word is hosted by Lisa Daniel on JOY Media, produced by Ellen Spalding, and podcasted by Jacqueline Shields and Thomas Olejniczak. This show originally aired February 4th, 2023.

For further information head to the JOY Media webpage, Word for Word podcast page or Facebook or email Lisa Daniel and the team at Word for Word.

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James Lolicato

Chris — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 07:30:04 +0000

James Lolicato is only 26 years old, yet has a list of achievements and awards as long as your arm. He co-founded Proud To Play at 21 years old, to help emphasise the importance of LGBTIQ inclusion in sport. He now works for The Pride Cup traveling the country and the world speaking to the positive ripple effects inclusivity in all sporting arenas, has on the wider community. He has personally raised over a million dollars for the cause and has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel, as she chews the fat with James Lolicato.

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Elizabeth Robinson Griffith

Chris — Sat, 11 May 2019 06:16:17 +0000

Liz is a Melbourne blogger and editor. She is a staunch feminist and activist who isn’t afraid to take a hit on social media or while she is playing roller derby.

From the outside her family was picture perfect. Educated middle class academics who went to Church on a Sunday. Then one event when she was 13 brought her world crashing down which exposed the truth of what on under her roof.

Liz has worked hard to overcome this adversity and heal from the abuse of her past and hopes her speaking up and out will inspire others.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel as she delves into the life of Elizabeth Robinson Griffith.

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Emily Fox

Chris — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 03:03:14 +0000

Emily Fox is a out and proud footy playing, sharks supporting, transgender woman who literally gave up everything she had, to be the woman she was always meant to be.

Born a Dandy boy, Emily lived a successful life as a family man till the yearning to become her true self became to much and she transitioned, so as her body matched her mind. Not knowing what would follow, would as liberating and as devastating, in equal measure.

Join host Lisa “Dano” Daniel as she explores the world of Emily Fox.

Photo credit and for bookings head to – The Factory Talent

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Jason Ball

Andy — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 01:55:40 +0000

This week, Australia’s first out and proud footballer, LGBTI and mental health activist, and Australian Greens candidate, Jason Ball, joins Benjamin to talk about his growing up, coming out and establishing of the Pride Cup, a framework for sporting codes to run gender and sexuality inclusive matches to break down barriers in sport.

Word For Word airs midday (AEDT) Saturdays on JOY 94.9 in Melbourne, streaming live at JOY.org.au, on the JOY App or iHeartRadio, and available via podcast from iTunes or your favourite podcast provider.

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Casey Conway

Andy — Sat, 30 Jun 2018 03:00:07 +0000

Advocate for LGBTI inclusion in sport and the Aboriginal community, former rugby league player and model Casey Conway joins Benjamin Norris on this week’s episode.

Word For Word airs midday (AEST) Saturdays on JOY 94.9 in Melbourne, streaming live at JOY.org.au, on the JOY App or iHeartRadio, and available via podcast from iTunes or your favourite podcast provider.

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Matthew Mitcham

Andy — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 02:58:55 +0000

This week Benjamin Norris asks Olympic gold medal-winner and LGBTI influencer Matthew Mitcham to share his emotional journey – diving into the pool but also diving into life!

Word for Word airs on JOY every Saturday at 12 PM. Stream it online at JOY.org.au.

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Returning with Pride – Jason Ball

Dean — Tue, 02 May 2017 07:19:24 +0000

It was nearly 5 years ago when Jason Ball first appeared on Word For Word. That day coincided with his coming out publicly as the first gay player of Aussie Rules football at any level. Since then Jason has tirelessly advocated for the AFL to address homophobia in the stands and on the field.

Jason Ball is the 2017 Young Australian of the Year for Victoria, honouring his work as a passionate community advocate for LGBTI equality and mental health.

On Sunday 7 May, the 4^th annual Pride Cup will be held at the Yarra Glen Football and Netball club in the Yarra Valley.

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Three-Quarter Man: Sam Bramham

Dean — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 08:36:07 +0000

Sam Bramham certainly entered Paralympic competition with a splash when he broke the 100m Butterfly world record at the 2004 Athens Paralympic, his first games at the age of 16. He made international headlines for lying to an American journalist that his leg was mauled off by a kangaroo.

Because of his success and personality, Sam is media friendly and a professionally trained motivational public speaker- and has spoken to schools, sports groups/clubs, businesses and councils offering support, advice, inspiration, disability awareness and goal setting techniques used by both the Olympic and Paralympic teams, all tied in with his personal experiences.

In August 2014, Sam released his autobiography ‘Three-Quarter Man: Pranks, Passion and Paralympics’ through Affirm Press.

Sam was a contestant on Big Brother Australia 2014. He was the sixth housemate to be evicted.

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Out In Front – AFL Star Brock McLean Smashes Homophobia with Pride

Dean — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 03:25:52 +0000

EXCLUSIVE: In his first radio interview and just hours before Pride March 2013 kicks off, Carlton midfielder Brock McLean reveals why he is the first AFL football player to speak publicly in support of NoToHomophobia campaigner and ‘out’ footy player Jason Ball.

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Embracing Diversity – Rugby Union & The Melbourne Chargers 2013

Dean — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 02:05:27 +0000

Around the world, professional football codes of all incarnations and on every continent – continue to struggle with the issue of homophobia.

From soccer to grid iron, ruby league to AFL there few – and in most cases there are none – who are out and proud gay men.

It is indeed, a cultural thing.

So why is Rugby Union different?

How is it even remotely possible for a gay rugby union club to emerge from the colossal grasp of the AFL’s homeland?

Not just emerge but to succeed at such break-neck speed that along the way they have been embraced by one of the oldest Rugby Union clubs in the nation – and then leverage their success to foster the re-birth of a rugby women’s team

How is it at all probable that they, together with the 20 teams that form their parental club affiliates – they could put their name to a ground breaking HIV stigma campaign – and garner the support of their sporting code and community alike?

Battling HIV stigma as ambassadors for the ENUF campaign (enuf.org.au is where you will find more information) is just another match on the field of life for Melbourne’s Gay Rugby team, The Melbourne Chargers.

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