Hanh Tran is a familiar voice across Football Victoria, having served as the original Series Futsal women’s broadcaster. Hanh has become well intertwined within women’s football across the state.
An advocate for women’s football, she has effectively singlehandedly shone a spotlight upon women’s futsal.
Throughout her established commentary career, Hanh has had broadcast involvement in finals, cup competitions and League matches across both indoor and outdoor women’s and men’s football competitions.
Speaking to Soccerscene, she discussed topics including being a commentator, what her dream is as a commentator, and the changes she would like to see in Australian womens football.
Tell me about yourself as a commentator.
Hanh Tran: I have been commentating on women’s soccer for a little over 5 years. I first began commentating on woman’s futsal for the Series Futsal Victoria Women’s league, played at Futsal Oz.
At the time the Men’s competition had weekly commentators calling their game and the women’s did not. I was also a player for the women’s league at the time.
I felt that the woman needed a voice to help boost and build their game, so I then made the initiative to jump on the mic and give commentating a try with the encouragement from owner Peter Parthimos I was in the box commentating my first week after.
In the beginning, it was all voluntary work and was more than happy to provide my time each week as it was something that I loved doing and the players enjoyed watching the game with commentary on it.
In late 2019 Football Victoria held an information seminar for women in media. This opened a huge door for me to help bring my commentating to a new level and provide me with a new challenge.
I was invited to join the Football Victoria commentary team for the upcoming 2020 season of NPL and NPL Women’s.
Unfortunately, due to COVID, I couldn’t make my debut to call the NPLW games that year. Fast forward to 2021 and I have been on the roster for most of this season calling the NPLW games.
I have a passion for providing a voice for women in sport, where at times there has been a male broadcaster calling female games. I feel the industry is in the progression of providing opportunities for diversity.
Growing up, I played every sport that was provided to me and loved being part of the community of sport.
When I watch I hear sports on the TV or radio, I’m so intrigued by the commentators and the way they capture the audience and entertain us in their own unique way when calling the game. I’m always listening out to different techniques and phrases that they use.
I remember watching the Matilda’s vs Vietnam in the Olympic qualifying match and made myself a personal goal to one day commentate a Vietnamese vs Australia football game.
Being from a Vietnamese background, that would be a dream come true. To represent Vietnam, Australia and be the voice for women’s football.
I want to be the pioneer of a Asian background and be a role model for future generation of commentators and media personnel.
What is something with women’s football you’d like to see change?
Hanh Tran: I would love to see more promotion and increasing the exposure of women in the media and to boost diversity in the industry.
I found there was a lack of content to champion and showcase the female players; and most of these outlets were hosted mainly by men.
More games being streamed, especially VPLW. More podcast, reels, panel shows. Pre game and post game interviews.
Advertisement of the players and their clubs, introductory videos of the clubs and teams, similar to USA college basketball and NFL and side line reporters.
What are your thoughts on the Nike Cup competition?
Hanh Tran: Love to see a VPLW team to get to the finals. One of the best quality games we’ve seen in a long time. 2 penalty shoot outs and 3 games going to extra time. They’ve been very close games.
Great exposure to smaller clubs that normally don’t get much limelight. FV have invested time and energy this year to make the cup stand out for the womens game.
Where would you wish to see growth within football in Australia?
Hanh Tran: More investment in the A league and growing the women’s game. So much support goes to the Matilda’s, but then no huge return of money invested in the A league.
Need more growth and international players come to the A-league to grow the game internationally to make it more entertaining.
Similar to what cricket did with the Big bash. Try something fun and exciting to bring in new and young viewers.
90 minutes is a long time to concentrate on a game that is low scoring, something that can bring in new football fans to watch the game.
A more sense of community and excitement, or collaboration with the men’s games, more double headers. The All-Star game was a hit against Arsenal, that will draw in more viewers and spectators.