Two Dans nominated for Sports Journalism Awards
Dan Goldberg and Danny Weidler have been nominated for the Australian Sports Commission 2010 Media Awards.
Dan Goldberg
Goldberg, a former editor of the Australian Jewish News, has been nominated in the category “Best Depiction of the Value of Sport to Australians in a Community Centre.
His documentary “Football United: Passport to Hope”, was recently screened on Foxtel. It told the story of how a professor at the University of New South Wales, Anne Bunde-Birouste used soccer to help integrate refugee children into Australian society…
The blurb for the program reads…
“Anne Bunde-Birouste founded the Football United program through the University of NSW, using the world game of soccer to help refugee children integrate into Australian society thereby offering them a passport to a brighter future.
The lottery of life has forced many of these children to become adults overnight, losing their innocence long before their childhood expired. Witnessing some of humanity’s worst crimes, this is a powerful and emotional story about kids who were born into, and have survived, war, drought, famine and bloodshed.
Football United; Passport To Hope tells their remarkable stories and how their lives have changed after meeting Anne and becoming involved in Football United. Together with Anne’s drive, motivation and determination, the program has given eight of them – four boys and four girls – an extraordinary opportunity to represent Australia at the Festival for Hope at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Football United; Passport To Hope is introduced by writer, author, broadcaster and football fan George Negus, who has travelled the globe seeing the world at its best and worst and along the way has met many inspirational people like Anne Bunde-Birouste.
“I met Anne a few years ago and when she gets a bit between her teeth she is bloody near unstoppable. We have gone from adversity to rather marvellous diversity [in Australia] and with the help of Anne and her program, so will these guys,” George says.
This two-part documentary series produced by North One Television Australia follows Anne and the kids as they prepare for and travel to South Africa – a rollercoaster ride during and after the World Cup.
Danny Weidler
The eight kids come from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Central America. Each of them faces different challenges: for some it will be an adventure that is frowned upon by traditionalists from their culture; for others, there may be separation issues, linguistic challenges and cultural chasms that bring into sharp focus the complexity of their new lives.”
Goldberg told J-Wire: “It’s a terrific feeling even to have been nominated for this prestigious award…but I am up against stiff competition. However, win or lose, the nomination will remain recognition for a program designed to changed kids’ lives.”
Goldberg’s competition includes Fairfax Media and the ABC’s 7:30 Report.
Danny Weidler has been nominated in the “Best Coverage of Sport by an Individual Category”. Weidler is the face of Rugby League on the Channel Nine Network and is being considered for his ability in breaking sports news.
The Australian Sports Commission in an initiative of the Federal Government. The Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on November 25.
