Radio MAMA ensures grassroots football gets air time in Geraldton

Recently commercial radio stations in Geraldton decided to stop broadcasting local GNFL games, instead broadcasting AFL football. In a show of support, local community radio station Radio MAMA has come on board to ensure these games get to air.

Colin Cox President of the GNFL said, “this was a deep concern for the GNFL and our Club’s as we have had regular game day broadcasts for many years. Fortunately, local community station Radio MAMA has stepped in and offered to work with the GNFL to broadcast at least 1 game per week.

This expands on Radio MAMA's previous coverage, which included GNFL Country Week games and the GNFL JJ Clune Medal Count. The GNFL coverage for the year will include regular segments in the station’s breakfast shows on a Monday and Friday and a special preview in the Sportshed program on a Saturday morning. Game day coverage will include a preview, half and full time wrap plus a call of the game with information from other games and sports taking place at the same time.

Radio MAMA Chairperson Kevin Merritt commented “GNFL football is important to our community it helps to bring the community together so Radio MAMA will help the GNFL to maintain coverage of games with our style of broadcast which will be led by Glenn Barndon and Peter Fiorenza. We want to see clubs grow and continue the good work in the community.”

Network General Manager Barry Anderson added “We know that our signal doesn’t reach everyone and we are working on ways to stretch our signal into surrounding districts, we are finalising our online services. During Country Week and for the JJ Clune Medal we know that we can build an audience to give wide coverage of the GNFL. As a not for profit community station Radio MAMA is trying to help the GNFL, the clubs and their communities. We will be looking for sponsors and donors to assist with the costs of the broadcasts. With the right community support we will make this work, after all we are all doing it for local footy."

GNFL President Colin Cox commented, “The GNFL is very positive about this broadcast partnership with Radio MAMA and we can see many benefits for football and our clubs. Grassroots football is important without local football the the AFL will lose the development of many star players. At the GNFL, we have to make sure that football has a good future and with broadcasts on the radio we know that’s good for the game.”