Wide World of Sports to incorporate cultural exchange

Nine’s Wide World of Sports has partnered with Talanoa Consultancy to engage in higher cultural competency for Pasifika athletes in sports broadcasting.

The brainchild of dual-code New Zealand international, Sonny Bill Williams, it will see Wide World of Sports rugby league and rugby union commentary teams engage in cultural competency sessions. Broadcasts will have 24/7 advisory services available, and Pacific research and development will be undertaken to optimise skills and knowledge for broadcast teams.

Dr David Lakisa is the Managing Director of Talanoa Consultancy, “Talanoa” is a Pan-Pacific term for exchanging ideas, skills, stories and experiences, and he was Australia’s first Pacific Islander Coaching and Development Officer in 2007. Dr Lakisa also has a PhD in managing Pasifika migration in the sporting workplace.

Wide World of Sports commentator, Sonny Bill Williams, said: “As a proud Samoan man I am so excited that Nine and Stan Sport are working with Dr David Lakisa. It’s important for everyone outside of the Pacific community to understand and appreciate our beautiful cultures. For me every challenge I face in my life is to inspire my Pasifika brothers and sisters, and sport is such a powerful platform to do this.”

Dr Lakisa said: “We are thrilled to enter this important and much-needed shared knowledge space together with Nine’s Wide World of Sports and Stan Sport. The partnership and synergy couldn’t come at a more opportune time considering Pacific sporting prowess is making an indelible imprint in rugby football codes.”

Director of Sport at Nine’s Wide World of Sports, Brent Williams, said: “Multiculturalism plays an integral part in Australian sport, particularly across rugby league and rugby union where the Pacific nations are so strongly represented at all levels.

“Our partnership with David is about education and building a stronger connection that will assist us in gaining a deeper understanding of the Pasifika communities and cultures.

“Sonny has been an inspirational leader in his community for many years and we are incredibly proud to be involved and show our support through this initiative.”

Rugby League Pacific Tests

Women’s International – New Zealand v Tonga: Saturday, June 25 – Live from Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. Live and Free on Nine and 9Now.

New Zealand v Tonga: Saturday, June 25 – Live from Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. Live and Free on Nine and 9Now.

Samoa v Cook Islands: Saturday, June 25 – Live from Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Live and Free on Nine and 9Now.

Papua New Guinea v Fiji: Saturday, June 25 – Live from Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Live and Free on Nine and 9Now.

Rugby Union Tests

Wallabies v England: Saturday, July 2 – Live from Optus Stadium, Perth.
Live and Free on Nine and Stan Sport.

Wallabies v England: Saturday, July 9 – Live from Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
Live and Free on Nine and Stan Sport.

Wallabies v England: Saturday, July 16 – Live from Sydney Cricket Ground.
Live and Free on Nine and Stan Sport.

Bledisloe Cup 2022

Wallabies v All Blacks: Thursday, September 15 – Live from Marvel Stadium, Melbourne. Live and Free on Nine and Stan Sport.

All Blacks v Wallabies: Saturday, September 24 – Live from Eden Park, Auckland. Live and Free on Nine and Stan Sport.