Airdate: Skin in the Game

NITV / SBS documentary Skin in the Game highlights violence against women through the NRL community through the eyes of rising sports commentator Marlee Silva, a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman.

Marlee, a self-proclaimed rugby league ‘tragic’, daughter of all-time great of the sport, Rod “Rocket” Silva, investigates the positive power of rugby to shape us as a nation: where we’ve been, how far we’ve come and where we need to go.

“Rugby league is a sport of opportunity – not just for the players – but as a platform where we can have tough conversations and show how much better we can be as a society. Skin in the Game began as a daunting journey, but even more daunting is the future of our society if we ignore the current culture of violence against women in Australia,” she said.

“When I think about having “skin in the game”, it’s not just my skin as an individual or my family, but who we are as a community. This one-hour documentary is a passionate quest to break down stereotypes and turn the dial.”

Jason Oakley, NITV General Manager, said: “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ love of sport is well-documented and it’s a key part of life for many. We know that sport can positively impact Indigenous peoples and it can also contribute to change in Australian culture. Skin in the Game emphasises this.

“The documentary is an important, agenda-setting program for all Australians, and we hope it starts a multitude of conversations that make a difference.”

Screen Australia Head of Documentary Richard Huddleston said: “Skin in the Game not only examines rugby league’s past, it also explores how its community can help build a more tolerant and inclusive society. Bold and unflinching, with candid family moments, Marlee’s love of the sport shines through and is matched by her desire for Australian women to have a safer future.”

Kyas Hepworth, Head of Screen NSW said: “Sport in Australia, particularly rugby league, has the power to bring about significant change, particularly in our First Nations communities. Screen NSW are thrilled to support Southern Pictures and Marlee to bring this powerful documentary to audiences on NITV and SBS, and we hope it will spark a national conversation and be a catalyst for change both on and off the field when it releases.”

Southern Pictures CEO, Laurie Critchley, said: “We’re proud to support Marlee Silva in producing her first documentary. Hers is an exciting and welcome voice. Skin in the Game is Marlee’s love-letter to Rugby League — and a persuasive and passionate exploration of how sport can drive much-needed change for women and men.”

Growing up living and breathing the sport, Marlee knows the power of rugby league to transform lives – but she also knows that it can hold a mirror to some ugly truths, especially when it comes to women and violence. Against a rising tide of domestic and family violence in Australia, where one woman a week is killed by a current or former partner; and one in four experiences violence at the hands of someone they know1, Marlee examines what the sport she loves can do to be part of the solution.

Skin in the Game provides unparalleled access to the players, their fans and families, as well as the sport’s leading influencers including rugby league broadcaster and former player and coach Phil Gould, NRL superstar Nicho Hynes, NRL Chairman Peter V’landys AM, NRLW player Lavinia Gould, former Chair of the West Tigers Rugby League Club Marina Go AM and Marlee’s father, rugby league legend, ‘Rocket’ Rod Silva.

Revealing the hidden history of women in the game, and pursuing her mission across the sports field, the corridors of power and her own backyard, Marlee embarks on a powerful, deeply personal interrogation that reveals what needs to be done – and why we all have “skin in this game”.

Skin in the Game is a Southern Pictures production for NITV. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with NITV. Financed with support from Screen NSW and the Shark Island Institute.

On NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand with subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

Sunday 23 March on NITV  / SBS