About Us

Our Story

AussieSpotlight was born from a passionate conversation between three sports journalists at the 2010 AFL Grand Final. As lifelong fans of Australian sports, Michael Donnelly, Sarah Chen, and James Cooper were frustrated by the fragmented coverage of cricket, rugby, and Australian Rules football across various media platforms.

That memorable day at the MCG, while watching Collingwood and St Kilda battle it out in their historic draw, the three colleagues sketched out a vision for a comprehensive media platform that would give Australian sports the in-depth analytical coverage they deserved.

Starting as a weekly podcast in 2011, AussieSpotlight quickly gained a devoted following for its insightful analysis and behind-the-scenes interviews with players and coaches. By 2015, we had expanded into digital content, producing video analyses, statistical deep-dives, and feature articles that showcased Australia's sporting landscape through a new lens.

Today, AussieSpotlight has grown into Australia's premier sports analysis platform with a team of 15 dedicated professionals combining journalism expertise with data analytics to bring unprecedented insight into cricket, rugby, and Aussie Rules football. What began as a conversation between three passionate fans has evolved into a trusted voice in Australian sports media, while maintaining our independent perspective and unwavering commitment to quality analysis.

Our Mission & Values

What drives us every day

Our mission is to celebrate and elevate Australian sporting culture through insightful analysis, compelling storytelling, and innovative digital experiences that bring fans closer to the games they love.

Analytical Depth

We go beyond highlights and scores to provide the context, statistics, and expert insights that reveal the true complexity and beauty of Australian sports.

Cultural Respect

We honor the rich traditions of cricket, rugby, and Aussie Rules while celebrating their evolution and the diverse communities they bring together.

Journalistic Integrity

We maintain independence and ethical standards in our coverage, ensuring our analysis is honest, balanced, and free from commercial influence.

Innovation

We continuously explore new formats, technologies, and perspectives to enhance how fans experience and understand Australian sports.

Accessibility

We believe quality sports analysis should be available to all fans, regardless of prior knowledge or experience with the games.

Community

We foster meaningful dialogue between fans, analysts, and athletes to build a passionate community united by love for Australian sports.

Our Leadership Team

The passionate experts behind AussieSpotlight

Michael Donnelly

Founder & Cricket Analyst

Former cricket correspondent for The Australian with over 20 years of experience covering international cricket. Michael's statistical approach to cricket analysis has revolutionized how performance metrics are evaluated in the sport.

As our lead cricket analyst, Michael brings unparalleled insight into the technical aspects of batting and bowling, having interviewed cricket legends from Shane Warne to Virat Kohli.

Sarah Chen

Co-founder & CEO

With a background in sports management and digital media, Sarah oversees AussieSpotlight's strategic direction and business operations. Her innovative approach to sports content has earned numerous industry accolades.

Sarah previously served as digital strategy director for the National Rugby League before co-founding AussieSpotlight in 2010. Her vision for integrating data analytics with traditional sports journalism has defined our unique approach.

James Cooper

Co-founder & AFL Expert

Former AFL midfielder with 156 games for the Sydney Swans, James brings firsthand playing experience to his analysis of Australian Rules Football. His tactical breakdowns of game footage have become must-watch content for serious AFL fans.

James combines his Indigenous heritage with his professional sporting background to provide unique perspectives on the cultural significance of AFL in Australian society.

Emma Sutherland

Chief Technology Officer

Leading our technology and product development, Emma has transformed how sports data is visualized and presented to fans. Her background in data science and sports analytics has enabled AussieSpotlight to create innovative digital experiences.

Before joining us in 2016, Emma developed performance analytics systems for Cricket Australia. She holds patents for several sports visualization technologies now used throughout the industry.

Our Achievements

Milestones that mark our journey

🏆

Australian Sports Media Awards

Winner of "Best Digital Sports Platform" for three consecutive years (2020-2022), recognized for our innovative approach to sports analysis and storytelling.

👥

Community Impact

Our grassroots coaching program has reached over 5,000 young athletes across Australia, providing free training resources and mentorship from professional players.

📊

Industry Innovation

Developed the "Performance Context Rating" system now used by 7 professional teams across the NRL, AFL, and Cricket Australia to evaluate player contributions.

🎙️

Media Excellence

Our podcast network achieves over 2 million monthly downloads, ranking in Australia's top 5 sports podcasts with listeners in 45 countries worldwide.

1M+

Subscribers

2.5M

Monthly Viewers

3,500+

In-depth Analyses

45

Countries Reached

What People Say

Hear from our community of sports enthusiasts

"AussieSpotlight's analysis of bowling tactics completely changed how I view cricket. Their breakdown of pitch conditions and their effect on swing has improved my own bowling at club level. No other platform offers this level of technical detail with such accessibility."

Jason Reynolds

Club Cricketer & Premium Subscriber

"As a coach developing young rugby talent, AussieSpotlight's detailed positional breakdowns have become essential to my training program. Their combination of visual demonstrations with statistical backup creates teaching tools that resonate with modern players."

Olivia Bennett

Youth Rugby Development Coach

"Living overseas, AussieSpotlight keeps me connected to AFL in a way that international coverage never could. Their tactical analysis and cultural context helps me explain the nuances of our game to my American colleagues who are just discovering Aussie Rules."