Hear from the inaugural recipient of our Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship, Latrobe University journalism student Ella Zammit

Receiving the Sam Landsberger Sport Journalism Fellowship is both exciting and nerve wracking. It is an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the sports journalism industry while hopefully carrying forward the passion and integrity that Sam brought to his work. For me, this Fellowship is about developing my skills, learning as much as I can and furthering my passion for this industry.

My connection to the Western Bulldogs is through some of my family’s passion for the team and involvement in the Daughters of the West program. As someone who has grown up in the west of Melbourne, the Doggies are a common theme that unites many members of my community.

I never thought of sports journalism as an option for me during university, I didn’t believe I was skilled enough in that area. But when I surrounded myself with people who ignited my passion for sport, I realised it was something that I could pursue in the long term. I became the producer of a sports radio show, started writing stories for my university paper and my passion only grew further. The way sport unites people and sparks conversations made me want to have a part in informing the public and telling those stories.  

This Fellowship is an opportunity to strengthen my writing, refine my skills, open new doors for my future, learn from leading voices in the industry, and make a meaningful contribution to sports journalism.