WOMENZSPORTS reveals new podcast hosted by Alice Soper to champion women’s sports in Aotearoa New Zealand
December 25, 2023 — WOMENZSPORTS is excited to announce the launch of a brand new weekly podcast, in partnership with sports journalist and rugby player Alice Soper. The podcast, WOMENZSPORTS presents Alice’s Soapbox, will showcase 50+ New Zealand women athletes throughout 2024, with the first episode to be released on January 1st.
In New Zealand, the biggest barriers for fans of women’s sports are: limited awareness of teams or athletes, a lack of media coverage, and inaccessibility of content (as shown in a 2022 SportNZ report). WOMENZSPORTS, launched on Instagram in November 2023, is on a mission to be the ultimate hype champion for New Zealand women’s sports by increasing media coverage and visibility of womxn and non-binary athletes, and eliminating the hurdles that make it difficult for people in Aotearoa to be fans.
WOMENZSPORTS presents Alice’s Soapbox will feature engaging and authentic conversations between Alice Soper and women athletes from a diverse range of sports across New Zealand, including mainstream sports like rugby, netball, and football, as well as more niche sports like handball and ice hockey. The podcast will take an entertaining and empowering look at New Zealand women’s sports, whilst providing a platform to discuss important issues facing women athletes in Aotearoa.
Episodes will be available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio (and more!). A complementary suite of bonus content designed to keep the conversation going will be released throughout the year across the WOMENZSPORTS social media platforms.
“The last couple of years have been epic for wāhine sports. We’ve held the world’s attention hosting three World Cups, had the launch of new professional leagues and sold out multiple stadiums,” says Alice Soper, sports journalist and host of WOMENZSPORTS presents Alice’s Soapbox. “We want to keep that momentum growing as our place in the game does, so we will be doing our part to get loud for our women in sports.”
“New Zealand is a global leader in coverage of women’s sports, but it is nowhere near equal,” says Dani Marshall, co-founder of WOMENZSPORTS. “At least 1.5 million people in New Zealand watch women’s sports, so, with a bit of investment, we can build on the incredible momentum that we already have. We want to see an Aotearoa New Zealand where it is just as easy to be a fan of the Black Ferns as it is to be a fan of the All Blacks.”
About Alice Soper:
Alice Soper is a freelance journalist and content creator known for championing women’s sport in Aotearoa. Alice is a columnist for the Herald on Sunday and her work has been featured in the LockerRoom, the Spinoff, the Guardian, and the Sunday Star Times. She has also hosted shows on Sky Sport and TVNZ's Heihei and created content for World Rugby, Re: News, Beervana, and WellingtonNZ. She’s been playing rugby in Wellington women’s teams since she was 13 years old and is a staunch advocate for getting women’s rugby over the advantage line.
Website: alicesoapbox.substack.com
Instagram: @alicesoapbox
About WOMENZSPORTS:
WOMENZSPORTS is the ultimate hype champion for NZ womxn’s sports. It was founded in November 2023 by Dani and Mel Marshall, with the aim to create an Aotearoa New Zealand where it is easy to be a fan of women’s sports. WOMENZSPORTS eliminates the hurdles by increasing coverage and visibility of womxn and non-binary athletes, and providing accessible, inclusive, and sport-agnostic pathways for fans to increase their engagement.
Website: www.womenzsports.com
Instagram: @womenzsports
Please direct all media enquiries to Dani at hello@womenzsports.com