For the Love of Play
A podcast created by Playgroup Victoria exploring childhood, community, family and belonging.
For the Love of Play
Ep. 4 Paul Kennedy - Sport Can Be An Oasis From The Chaos Of Life
"That’s a really powerful thing... for people to have almost an oasis from the chaos of their lives to come and spend time at a sports club.”
In Conversation with Paul Kennedy – Journalist, Author and TV Presenter
Content Warning: this episode references child abuse. Please take care of yourself when listening and, if necessary, skip the interview between 39:10 and 42:00.
While Paul is well known as the former ABC mornings sports reporter, his books and documentaries shed more light on who he is and what he cares about. In this episode we talk about his writing, his love of sport and his discovery of creativity as an outlet.
The conversation also explores the importance of family and how community institutions like sporting clubs can connect us, providing support, purpose and sometimes even a sanctuary from the challenges of life.
Paul talks about why role models matter, the importance of encouragement during childhood and how one person can have a profound influence on their community - and society at large.
About Our Guest
A promising footballer in his youth, Paul pursued his love of sport and writing to become a journalist, eventually spending more than a decade as ABC TV’s morning sport reporter. His journalism has also taken the form of books and documentaries, and his beautifully honest memoir, Funkytown, is a rite-of-passage story, focusing on his teenage years in the Melbourne suburb of Seaford.
Show Links
- Website: For the Love of Play
- Listen to all episodes: Buzzsprout
- Follow us on Instagram: @fortheloveofplaypodcast
Learn More About Playgroup Victoria
- Website: playgroup.org.au
- Instagram: @playgroupvicofficial
- Facebook: Playgroup Victoria
- LinkedIn: Playgroup Victoria
Episode Credits
Hosted by Mylie Nauendorf and Sinead Halliday.
Interview conducted by Sinead Halliday.
Edited by Jonathan Rivett.
Mastering by James North Productions.
Music by Selina Byrne.
And thanks to our little friends Toby and Adelaide for voicing the intro.
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