90.5 (Sport FM) Commentary team

[DavidSmithSportFM]

Official Press release - Weds 24th January 2007

90.5 Sport FM today completed its commentary team to broadcast Western Force matches this season.

The station will broadcast every game the Force play, and provide unique coverage of away games with the station sending its own commentator to all games the Force play in Australia and New Zealand.

The team is:-

DAVID SMITH - 27 year broadcasting veteran. 10 years with BBC Radio, Ch7 Olympics and Commonwealth Games commentator, Soccer commentator including the 2003 Grand Final. David has commentated every Perth Glory game for the past two years and called Rugby for the BBC and Eurosport. David will call 11 of the 13 games the Force play.

LEON RURI - the voice of Rugby in WA. Leon will supply expert commentary on all home games. Presenter of program's like Talking Rugby as well as numerous others. A former player with the Western Reds he provides a players perspective of the action.

ADAM PAPALIA - One of the top graduates from WAAPA Adam will complete the team for home games. Providing commentary and will be the roving reporter.

David Smith says of the team "I strongly believe this is the best Rugby commentary team available in WA. Leon's enthusiasm for Rugby is intoxicating and I'm convinced Adam Papalia will emerge as one of the great voices of WA Sport for years to come."

David will travel to all but two of the games where he hopes he'll be joined by non playing members of the Force.

[Burgs]

Nice work David, thanks
How long pre and post match do you plan to broadcast?
Any plans of rugby talk on air (talk back etc) away from match day coverage?
Either way I can't get it out here but interested if Perth is "talking rugby" yet in year two of the Force?

[DavidSmithSportFM]

Thanks Burgs,

Our shows will have a 30 minute preview. There will be Talkback after every game, and we will be seeking fans views in other segments too. Each program will start 30 minutes prior to kick-off and last 3 hours.

There is scope for further Rugby shows on the station but the priority just now is to be able to finance the live action.

90.5 has just started a fans based show called "Lets Talk Football" which tackles all aspects of Soccer/Football.

Perhaps the way ahead is for Rugby fans to look at doing their own show too.

[Shaun]

That would be great "let's talk rugby" !

[travelling_gerry]

I'll volunteer....used to do the radio mungo show in alice springs....can we take an esky into the studio like we did then?

[The Man]

Where's Willy and Wicksie????

[fulvio sammut]

I know where mine is.

[Pockets]

What happened to the team that 90.5 had last year Johnny Hill & Ashleigh Morison, they were so superior to 6pr, even thought johnny is a ref! Where have they gone this year?

[funksoulbruffa]

Thats the best news I have heard all year well done Sport FM keep up the great work !!!!!!!!!!!

[Burgs]

Better watch out Pockets, Johnny Hill lurks around these parts at times
Welcome to TWF by the way

[fulvio sammut]

Burgs, please let me know when John Hill is online again won't you.I had limited opportunities to abuse him last season and am having withdrawal symptoms.
Hi Johnny!

[Burgs]

HAHAHA, no worries mate, I used to abuse him too but that was as team mates

Hi Johnny

[Pockets]

Maybe but he talked a lot of sense. Was he fired?

[LarryNJ]

Our shows will have a 30 minute preview. There will be Talkback after every game, and we will be seeking fans views in other segments too. Each program will start 30 minutes prior to kick-off and last 3 hours.

There is scope for further Rugby shows on the station but the priority just now is to be able to finance the live action.

90.5 has just started a fans based show called "Lets Talk Football" which tackles all aspects of Soccer/Football.

Perhaps the way ahead is for Rugby fans to look at doing their own show too.

What a great way to plug the site.

When you call up just say something like:
"I was reading on TheWholeForce.com this great post by LarryNJ that....."

[DavidSmithSportFM]

Can I assure you that no-one has been sacked.

The coverage last season was organised by Wisdom Sports Media who no longer have any association with 90.5.

Johnny and Ashley worked for that company.

I have stepped in to provide the sort of coverage I believe fans deserve, with a quality broadcasting team and high production standards.

I would not be at all surprised if Johnny and Ashley end up working on another stations coverage and I wish them well.

There are only so many people who can work on a broadcast and I have chosen my team and hope fans will give the coverage a listen.

I will just concentrate on my own broadcasts and try and make them as appealing as possible.