When Sydney Swans AFLW defender Kiara Hillier isn't training or playing, she's pursuing her passion for sports media.
Alongside her AFLW commitments, Hillier studies a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in journalism and social media.
This off-season, the 20-year-old was selected to participate in the AFL’s Media and Broadcast Career Pathways Program, giving her a behind-the-scenes look into the world of sports media.
She was one of 18 women selected to travel to Melbourne during the offseason to participate in a two-day intensive program, which aims to nurture the growth of women athletes transitioning from professional sport to the workplace.
Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, Hillier said that she believes the AFL needs more representation of women in the media.
“It's so important, I think it's such a male-dominated industry, but if we have more female voices, it'll be good for us to be heard,” Hillier said.
“We need more women, not just in the women's space; we need more women in the men's AFL space as well.”
In partnership with media organisation Making the Call, Hillier participated in a variety of training sessions including writing, public speaking, broadcasting, and media production workshops at the new Seven Network studios and AFL Media studios.
“The workshops were from nine to five on Monday and Tuesday, giving us hands-on experience with journalists, the 7AFL team, and AFL staff,” Hillier said.
“We spoke with AFLW General Manager Emma Moore and journalists like Nat Edwards, Kate McCarthy, and Sarah Olle.
“We did some digital creation, and we spoke to (AFL Journalists) Gemma Bastiani and Sophie Welsh, and a lot of hands-on experience with commentators and boundary reporters, which was good.”
Hillier said she was excited by the chance to explore new opportunities outside her playing career.
“I think anyone who has the opportunity to go and gets accepted, it'll be so great to learn,” she said.
"I really enjoyed our session with Kate McCarthy learning about boundary reporting and I also really loved the social media side of it, which is something I'm interested in pursuing in the future.
“It's such a great experience to get some hands-on experience and to learn with everyone”.
The Swans AFLW team officially returned for pre-season training this week, after a week of testing and orientation sessions.
The Swans welcomed nine new players to the red and white over the off-season, and Hillier said the team was looking forward to getting started.
“We had a really good offseason block, which is good, week one of testing is done and the girls are pumped,” Hillier said.
“We had a lot of girls get PBs in the gym testing and the time trial, which is really exciting, and I think we are on a good path this year.”
