Good evening!

Last night, I got the call up to join my Dad’s Tuesday night tennis group. I sub into the group occasionally when someone can’t make it and it is always an honour and a privilege. 

After an hour of tennis, the group heads to the local bowling club where four pizzas are ordered (there are eight players and each is entitled to four slices) and general chit-chat commences.

I took the opportunity at the ‘post-match function’ to tell Dad’s mates about the newsletter and got them to sign up. 

So…today’s edition is dedicated to Dad’s tennis group and all the groups of people who play sports regularly simply because it’s fun, social and makes you feel good.

I’ve got 10 seconds

Stat of the day

30
Years since the defending women’s singles champion at Wimbledon has been knocked out of the tournament in the first round. Markéta Vondroušová, who won Wimbledon in 2023, fell to Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-2 overnight. In 1994, Steffi Graff, the 1993 champ, lost to Lori McNeil in the first round.

Quote of the day

"What defines good enough? I honestly don’t even know anymore… If I could turn back the clock even just a few short months I would say to my younger self, ‘Those who truly know you see your value and what you bring. Don’t waste energy trying to make those who don’t, happy… Have courage. Stay fearlessly authentic.’”
Hockeyroos player Rosie Malone in a post on Instagram after she missed out on Olympic selection. Malone, who has played in 21 of 22 Hockeyroos games this year and was in the top five players in the world last year, was a surprise omission from the Hockeyroos team to compete in Paris.

Random fact of the day

The athlete to have competed at the most Olympic games is Canadian Ian Millar, who competed in equestrian events in a record 10 games spanning from Munich in 1972 to London in 2012. 

I’ve got 30 seconds

In case you missed it…

🚴‍♂️ Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar is back in the yellow jersey after winning stage four of Le Tour de France. Pogačar established a lead by breaking away from defending champion Jonas Vingegaard and contender Remco Evenepoel up the largest climb of the stage (the Col du Galibier). Pogacar now sits in first overall with a 45-second advantage over Evenepoel in second. Vingegaard sits in third, a further five seconds behind.

🏀 Team WNBA for the 2024 WNBA All-Star game has been announced. Among the 12 women selected, the team features two standout rookies, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Team WNBA will face the U.S. women’s national team, who are preparing for the Paris Olympics, on 20 July. 

⚽ Türkiye ended Austria’s dream run at the Euros this morning, beating them 2-1 in the Round of 16. Meanwhile, the Netherlands beat Romania 3-0, demonstrating their strength as the no.7 ranked team in the world. Türkiye will now play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

🎾 Aussie tennis players Ajla Tomljanovic, Olivia Gadecki, Chris O’Connell, and Rinky Hijikata all lost their first-round matches at Wimbledon last night. It’s not all bad news though, Alex de Minaur, Adam Walton and Alexei Popyrin all won their first-round matches. Thanasi Kokkinakis’ match was suspended due to bad light while Daria Saville, Australia’s only remaining woman, will play her second-round match from 2:10am tomorrow (AEST).

I’ve got 1 minute

The Euros (Europe’s continental football tournament) and Copa América (America’s continental football tournament) are reaching their final stages with only eight teams left in each. Here is a round-up of the upcoming fixtures.

Euros

The Euros started with 24 teams and after two weeks of play, eight teams still have a shot at earning the prestigious title of Euro Champions. The Euros have been held since 1960 and Germany is hosting the 17th edition of the tournament. The Euros quarter-finals will start on Saturday morning (AEST).

Spain v Germany on Saturday 6 July at 2:00 am

Portugal v France on Saturday 6 July at 5:00 am

England v Switzerland on Sunday 7 July at 2:00 am

Netherlands v Türkiye on Sunday 7 July at 5:00 am

Copa América 

The Copa features 16 teams. That number has now been halved for the beginning of the knockout stages, the quarter-finals. The Copa began in 1916 and the 48th edition is being played in the U.S. The quarter-finals begin on Friday morning (AEST).

Argentina v Ecuador on Friday 5 July at 11:00 am

Venezuela v Canada on Saturday 6 July at 11:00 am

Colombia v Panama on Sunday 7 July at 8:00 am

Uruguay v Brazil on Sunday 7 July at 11:00 am

How to watch

You can stream the Euros and Copa América live on Optus Sport.

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A couple of months ago, we published a story covering anti-siphoning laws and their threat to free sport on TV for Australians. 

Discussion of the bill resumed in the Senate today. So here’s a reminder of what it’s all about. 

What is anti-siphoning?

In Australia, we have something called the ‘anti-siphoning scheme’, which controls media access to major sporting events. It means that the broadcasting rights to nationally significant sporting events (e.g. the Olympics and the Paralympics) are offered to free-to-air broadcasters before subscription services.

Anti-siphoning laws were put in place to ensure that Australians would always be able to watch these major sporting events for free. 

The anti-siphoning list specifies which sporting events fall under the laws. There are currently ten types of sports, plus the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, on the list.

So, what is the proposed change?

Labor wants to separate broadcast rights and streaming rights.

Under this bill, Labor will still prevent streaming services from buying the “broadcast rights” to major sporting events. However, streaming services would be able to acquire exclusive streaming rights.

This would mean that TVs with an aerial would still be able to watch sports for free, however, devices connected to the internet might not be able to.

Currently, 20% of Australians watch their sport online and this number is anticipated to reach 50% by 2030. For example, during last year’s Women’s Soccer World Cup, 3.8 million Australians watched the Matildas via an internet connection. 

Labor argues its new bill would “enhance the likelihood of free coverage of listed events”. However, many argue it will do the opposite.

So what do the Greens want to do?

The bill has passed the House of Representatives and now needs approval from the Senate. 

Yesterday, Greens communications spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the party will introduce an amendment to the bill because it believes sport “should be free for both for those who use older TVs with an aerial and those who watch on their phone, tablet or digital device via internet streaming”.

Hanson-Young cited reports from Free TV Australia, which represents free broadcasters, that U.S. football fans may have to pay up to $AU2,400 a year to watch every NFL game this coming season. 

Hanson-Young added: “Sport brings us together on common ground as a nation, but Labor's subscription sports scheme will see our community further divided into the haves and have-nots. It's not fair play.”

A message from our sponsor

New Deakin Research, confirms benefit of increased representation of women on boards.

The Office for Women in Sport and Rec has recently released research by Deakin University which found that having gender diversity on boards of sporting organisations contributes to improved board performance, culture and decision making.

Introduced in 2019, Victoria’s Balance the Board policy requires sports boards to be made up of at least 40% women in order to be eligible for government funding. Deakin’s research shows it's working, too. Women on boards grew from 45% to 96% between 2017 and 2023.

But it’s not just about numbers – it’s making a real difference.

"Women directors brought crucial skills like governance, strategic planning, and risk management," said Research lead, Professor Pamm Phillips.

A key challenge to balancing boards is in attracting and keeping women in these roles, and research found that male leaders are key to driving this change.

“We are focused on breaking down barriers for women and girls in sport, ensuring that everyone in Victoria has the opportunity to take part in the sports they love,” said Minister for Community Sport, Ros Spence.

To read a summary of the research, click here.

Looking back…

Looking forward…(All times are AEST)

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