OVERVIEW

Sidelined is a four-part documentary series which was broadcast nationally in Australia on free-to-air and subscription TV, and is currently still available for streaming on SBS On-Deman and Kayo Sports. It follows a professional women’s basketball team, the Melbourne Boomers, throughout the 2021-22 season with unprecedented access, making for a raw and revealing production.

Set against the backdrop of the 42nd season of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), the Deakin Melbourne Boomers take their fight beyond the basketball court to overcome gender inequality, lower pay, balancing a sporting career with other work, racial discrimination, and the constant pressure to justify their existence as female athletes in a sporting and societal landscape dominated by men. At stake is not only the opportunity to win their first championship in ten years, but give a voice to these societal issues and make noise in a space which has been quiet for too long.

This production was all-in for a period of six months, meaning we were present at every team practice, meeting and game, as well as flying around the country following the Boomers and conducting interviews with key cast members. We had to also secure funding and a broadcast deal for Sidelined, and are extremely proud with the outcome and reach the series achieved.

CREDITS

DIRECTOR: ADAM McKAY
PRODUCER: NIMA SOBHANI
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TONY HALLAM
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM McKAY
1st ASSISTANT CAMERA: JACKSON CAHILL
2nd ASSISTANT CAMERA: LAURI JEAN-WALKER
3rd ASSISTANT CAMERA: RUSHI PATEL
ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE THANKS TO: IAN YONG, HAFIY FADIL, LACHLAN ROSS
EDITOR: ADAM McKAY
ASSISTANT EDITOR: JACKSON CAHILL
COLOURIST: ADAM McKAY
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: ARON CLARKE
GAME FOOTAGE SHOT UNDER LICENSE FROM: BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA
SPECIAL THANKS TO: DEAKIN UNIVERSITY