Year 11 Grant High School student Jazz Cowling was recently given a once in a lifetime opportunity to step behind the scenes of elite sports journalism, shadowing award-winning sports journalist and podcaster Marnie Vinall at an AFLW game in Melbourne.
The experience stemmed from the student’s AIF (Activating Identities and Futures) subject exploring the similarities and differences between AFL and AFLW.
After interviewing Ms Vinall as part of the investigation, Jazz was invited to join her at the Collingwood vs GWS Giants AFLW match, where she was reporting for ABC Sport.
The day began with a boundary walk, where Jazz was introduced to members of the Fox Footy team and a variety of other sports journalists. From there, she joined Ms Vinall in the media section to gain firsthand insight into the fast-paced processes of live sports reporting.
The opportunity also included meeting the Collingwood media team and speaking with several AFLW players, including Sarah Rowe, who recently returned from injury and shared her reflections on the game.
The highlight of the day came when Jazz attended post-game press conferences and was given the opportunity to ask Collingwood coach Sam Wright a question.
Jazz said she absolutely enjoyed the opportunity, which had piqued her interest further in journalism.
“This was the coolest experience ever and has completely shifted my way of thinking with regard to my career pathway and ambition,” she said.
“I am grateful to my AIF teacher, Mr Praolini, for going above and beyond to initiate this opportunity with Marnie, and to Marnie for graciously taking me under her wing and immersing me in the world of sports journalism.”
Principal Caroline Davey said the school was proud to see students embracing opportunities to connect their studies with real-world experiences.
“Jazz’s experience is a fantastic example of the different opportunities available to students at Grant High School,” she said.
“We are committed to providing authentic learning opportunities that help our students explore their passions and discover potential career pathways.
“This experience highlights the impact of connecting classroom learning with industry expertise, a current focus for our students.”
