Kelli Underwood
Born1977
Alma materUniversity of South Australia
Occupationsports commentator
Years active2001–present
Employer(s)Foxtel and Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Known forbeing the first women to commentate an AFL match on television and radio
TelevisionOffsiders, The Back Page

Kelli Underwood (born 1977) is an Australian radio and television sports journalist and sportscaster specialising in Australian rules football, netball and tennis.

She was the first woman to call an Australian Football League match on television and radio.[1][2]

Underwood is host of ABC's Offsiders and a regular panellist on the Fox Sports program The Back Page. She also calls AFL and AFLW football on Fox Footy and ABC Grandstand.[3]

Radio career

After studying journalism at the University of South Australia, Underwood's work began with an internship at Adelaide radio station FIVEaa before a two-year period working at 5MU in Murray Bridge, South Australia.[4] She then worked at Geelong station K-Rock before moving to 3AW in Melbourne as a sports reporter and AFL match-day reporter.[4][5]

Underwood is part of the ABC Radio Grandstand team, calling AFL games mainly on Friday nights.[6][7]

Television career

Underwood's move into television began in 2006 when she joined Network 10 as a sports reporter for Ten News and Sports Tonight.[4] She joined Network Ten's AFL coverage in 2009, replacing Christi Malthouse as a boundary rider.[4]

Underwood made history by becoming the first woman to call an AFL match on television, joining Tim Lane in commentary of the 2009 NAB Cup game between Geelong and the Adelaide Crows.[8] She called her first AFL premiership season match on 18 July 2009—the Round 16 match between Geelong and Melbourne at Kardinia Park with Anthony Hudson.[5] Underwood commentated for matches for Network Ten throughout 2009–10, both in the commentary box and at ground level through until the end of 2011.[9]

Underwood was a host and commentator of ANZ Championship Netball from 2008 until 2016, calling for Network Ten and later Fox Sports.[10]

In 2013, Underwood joined the revamped Fox Sports panel show The Back Page, which she continues to appear alongside host Tony Squires. Her work on The Back Page and her interview program Breaking Ground earned her two Astra Awards, including the 2015 award for Most Outstanding Female Presenter.[11]

In 2017, she called the AFLW on Fox Footy; being the station head caller for the competition, her role expanded in 2020 when she returned calling AFL men's football on television.[12][13] In February 2018, Underwood replaced Gerard Whateley as host of Offsiders after he resigned from the ABC.[14]

Throughout her career, especially early on, Underwood has been subject to a large amount of criticism from viewers, which has been described as "disproportionate" and "gendered".[15][16][5]

Personal life

Her partner Georgia Spokes is a senior editor at ABC News.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Backstory: Offsiders host Kelli Underwood's journey from sports fan to broadcasting pioneer". ABC News. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2023. becoming the first woman to call AFL on radio and television
  2. ^ Devlyn, Darren (23 February 2009). "Kelli Underwood a worthwhile punt for Channel 10". Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  3. ^ "Fox Sports broadcaster Kelli Underwood talks about her career, the industry and the future". The Daily Telegraph. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "Kelli Underwood set up by South Australian sporting life to be first female to call a game of Australian football". AdelaideAz. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Vinall, Marnie (29 July 2022). "'If she'd chucked it in, where would we be?' How far footy has come for women broadcasters". The Age. she faced a barrage of gendered criticism...
  6. ^ Hutchison, Craig (11 January 2009). "Kelli Underwood calls Aussie Rules". Herald Sun. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  7. ^ Hinds, Richard (29 November 2012). "That's why the lady is a champ". The Age.
  8. ^ Knox, David (11 January 2009). "Kelli kicks a goal for women in media". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  9. ^ Ralph, Jon (19 January 2011). "Channel 10 flicks switch on Kelli Underwood, first female to call football on TV". Herald Sun. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  10. ^ Growden, Greg (3 April 2016). "Kelli Underwood still setting trends after 12 years". ESPN. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Finalists & Winners | Astra: Subscription Television Australia". astra.org.au. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Fox Footy's expert AFLW commentary team to be led by Kelli Underwood, Neroli Meadows with footy stars". Fox Footy. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  13. ^ McKern, James (3 September 2020). "AFL 2020: Fans react to Kelli Underwood's return as Richmond defeats Fremantle". news.com.au. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  14. ^ Carmody, Broede (30 January 2018). "Kelli Underwood replaces Gerard Whateley on ABC's Offsiders". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  15. ^ Cordingley, Glenn; Cardy, Todd (8 August 2009). "Kelli Underwood, AFL commentator who has divided fans". PerthNow. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  16. ^ O'Halloran, Kate (4 July 2017). "'Numbers don't lie': women make their mark on AFL in commentary box". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 March 2023. Underwood received a disproportionate amount of criticism
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