Leveling the playing field: Inside Foxtel Group’s Women in Editorial Internship Program

How Foxtel Group’s Women in Editorial Internship Program is changing the narrative for women in sports media.

In sports media, women’s voices have long been underrepresented – but at Foxtel Group, we’re determined to change the narrative.  This year we launched our Women in Editorial Internship Program to champion diversity, amplify women’s voices in sport, and foster long-term career pathways by equipping aspiring female journalists with the experience, tools, and mentorship needed to thrive.

“The program was thoughtfully designed to increase female representation in sports journalism, directly supporting both our immediate diversity goals and our long-term strategy to build an inclusive, forward-thinking culture,” said Sarah Malkic, Senior HR Business Partner. “By guaranteeing meaningful exposure across teams, we’re setting participants up for real-world success.”

Over 12-weeks, the inaugural Women in Editorial Internship Program offered an immersive experience to three digital interns: Annika Legg, Emma Sutton, and Maeve Sparrow, each selected for their passion, talent, and drive.

Opening the door for future storytellers

The program was brought to life by senior leaders, Rebecca Jacobsen, Director, Organisational Development & Sustainability, Rebecca McCloy, Executive Director - Commercial Sport and program sponsor, Sam Squiers, Women’s Sport Lead, and Brenton Cherry, Editor, Foxsports.com.au, in collaboration with Sarah Malkic, Senior HR Business Partner. Their shared goal was clear: to amplify female voices in sports storytelling and create meaningful career pathways for women entering the editorial space.

For Rebecca Jacobsen, the program is a tangible reflection of Foxtel Group’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“This goes beyond gender equity,” she explained. “It’s about equipping aspiring female journalists with the tools, opportunities, and platform to help shape the stories we tell and, ultimately, the future of sport.”

“We need more women in the industry, but more importantly, we need them to stay,” Sam Squiers said. “This program gives them not just a foot in the door, but the mentorship and confidence to thrive.”

“It’s a great starting point for women interested in becoming sports journalists, where they are given an incredible insight into the industry at such an early stage in their careers, as well as connections throughout the business that will extend well beyond the 12-week program.”

The program was developed in partnership with Macquarie University and the University of Technology Sydney, with applications open to students completing Media and Communications degrees. Interns were selected based on a strong passion for sport, excellent writing skills, a demonstrated willingness to learn and most importantly, a ‘win together’ mindset.

Following a competitive application process which included the submission of a writing sample and interviews with HR and editorial leaders, Annika Legg, Emma Sutton, and Maeve Sparrow were selected for our 2025 Women in Editorial Internship Program.

Hands-on, all-in learning

From day one, Annika, Emma, and Maeve were immersed in the experience of working in a media organisation, rotating across key teams like the Digital Video Unit, Home Edit, General Sports, and NRL. They learned how to edit, publish, pitch, interview, and produce digital content under tight deadlines. But perhaps most importantly, they learned how to make their voices heard and build the confidence to own their space.

“The experience was the perfect opportunity to develop my skills in a successful, well-known company,” said Annika.

With a focus on editing, writing, video production, and content creation, Annika rotated across departments including the Digital Video Unit and the Home Edit Team, building confidence in her writing and publishing skills. She recalls covering unfamiliar sports like athletics which led to her pitching and writing a feature on the Diamond League.

For Emma, a former competitive athlete with a screen production background, the program was the perfect opportunity to combine her passions in production, storytelling and sport.

“I loved the video production side the most,” Emma explained. “It was amazing to see how visual storytelling can draw people into the world of sport.”

One standout moment for Emma was interviewing the NSW Women’s State of Origin team. 

“Talking to those athletes was amazing. It was so rewarding to be part of something that gives women’s sport the coverage it deserves.”

Maeve, a passionate football enthusiast, viewed the program as a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience in the sports media industry. She appreciated the collaborative environment at Fox Sports, and the opportunity to deepen her understanding of a variety of sports outside of her comfort zone.

"I think my favourite was the Digital Video Unit, but the most impactful was probably the General team, because it opened up my eyes to a lot of different sports and dove a little bit deeper into understanding who the big players are and why, which was very interesting,” said Maeve.

Maeve also loved writing about football, her favourite sport, and getting the opportunity to work with the NRL to refine her interviewing skills.

"Talking face to face to people is really my forte and my strength so having the opportunity to speak with the athletes and then to have a piece published based on that was amazing," she explained.

Building skills and confidence

In addition to technical training, the program emphasised soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and resilience. Through weekly mentoring sessions with Sam Squiers and consistent support from leaders at Fox Sports, interns were given space to ask questions, challenge themselves, and learn from constructive feedback.

Maeve highlighted the importance of advocating for oneself and taking full advantage of the opportunities provided.

“Speak up and voice what you want to learn. Everyone at Fox Sports has your best interests at heart. Be confident in yourself and your abilities and just go for it.”

 “Everyone here wants you to succeed,” echoed Annika. “It was empowering to be seen and treated like a real journalist, not just an intern.”

“From day one, they were treated like professionals,” Sam explained. “They pitched stories, worked to deadlines, and got a real taste of what this industry is all about. They’re now ready for the real world of journalism.”

One of the program’s greatest strengths lies in its culture of mentorship. Mentors from each editorial team played pivotal roles, teaching technical skills while creating safe spaces for the interns to grow, ask questions, and try new things. 

“Everyone was willing to help,” recalled Emma. “It made asking questions easy and learning so much smoother.”

“Having someone like Sam Squiers to mentor us was invaluable,” explained Annika. “She gave us insight, advice, and the kind of real-world guidance you can’t get from a textbook.”

Maeve also emphasised the value of mentorship, noting how the program allowed her to build connections and gain guidance from industry professionals.

“At Fox Sports, you’re seen as more than just an intern, you’re a journalist. You’re here for a learning experience, and you get to use the tools and resources available to you.”

Looking ahead

All three interns, Annika, Maeve, and Emma have had their work published on Fox Sports, covering everything from Football to F1 to Women’s State of Origin. They leave the program with sharpened skills, professional networks, an increased passion for sports media and a clear sense of their future direction.

Their standout moments from the program? Interviewing elite athletes, producing real-time content under deadline, sitting in on TV shows, and supporting each other as women in a male-dominated space.

“This program has reaffirmed that this is the industry I want to be in,” said Emma. “I now know that I want to contribute to something bigger, especially in promoting women’s sports.”

Their stories are a testament to what’s possible when young women are given not just an opportunity but the tools and support to truly thrive.

To the women considering a future in sports journalism, Sam Squiers has a clear message: “Come join us.”

“These young women are talented, and there are so many more talented women in sports journalism that we want to encourage.”

The landscape has changed. The industry is more welcoming, more diverse, and more open than ever before and programs like Foxtel’s Women in Editorial Program are leading the way.