Looking to play her second finals series in the calendar year, Illawarra Steelers Lock Sienna Yeo continues to extend the Yeo family legacy by paving her own path in the rugby league world. Making her Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership debut with the Illawarra Steelers in July 2024, Sienna has remained an integral part of Jamie Szczerbanik’s side having not left the starting 17 since her induction in Round 2 of the competition. Whether that is coming off the bench or starting in the 13 jersey Sienna says she’s happy to do whatever is required for the team. “I played in…
Author: Joshua Houldin
With roughly one National Rugby League (NRL) player sustaining a concussion every three games and the recent retirements of several players, experts are urging for preventative measures to reduce head trauma-induced injuries. Cronulla Sharks prop Dale Finucane formally announced his retirement effective immediately from the NRL last month following medical advice regarding his extensive history of head knocks. A week later, Sydney Roosters halfback Luke Keary followed suit calling time on his 11-year career in first grade at the 2024 season’s end. Sports-related concussion hospitalisations accounted for 24 per cent of head injuries and 83 per cent of intracranial injuries…
Football Australia has announced Australia will host the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The home event follows the success of last year’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Australia last hosted the continental football tournament almost 20 years ago and many contend it earned its stripes as a footballing nation, particularly due to the growth in participation in women’s football. Women make up 23 per cent of the nation’s footballing participation, but Football Australia’s Equality Gender Action aims to have a 50 per cent gender split by 2027. Football Australia’s proportion of female executive committee members across the entire Asian confederate is…
A recent online feud between hip-hop artists Drake and Kendrick Lamar has generated conversation surrounding the effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the music industry. The controversy surrounding the authenticity of tracks has turmoiled discussion, particularly following the unofficial release of Drakes’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” diss track, which saw a feature from deceased artist and iconic West Coast hip-hop figure Tupac Shakur. Appeals from Tupac’s Estate have resulted in the Canadian rapper to removing the record from both his YouTube and Instagram accounts. This has since raised several ethical questions regarding how to appropriately use AI as a musical tool…
The cost-of-living crisis has prompted many Australians to make cuts to “luxury items”, but gym memberships are often the last to be sacrificed. Gym memberships were identified as one of the first things to go, consequently resulting in calls to make these fees tax deductible. The local gym owner Philip Schmidt said they’re experiencing a small drop in customers. “I think for two or three we get, we probably lose one or two drop off so we’re trying to just keep our numbers stable,” he said. This initiative comes due to there being a demand by those who want to…
Digital streaming platforms have exploded in the last decade and now account for 65% of global music listening. Streaming services often dictate how individuals consume their music and low prices have meant many small-scale and independent artists are struggling to financially support themselves. One of the artist who struggle to make ends meet through their music is Illawarra DJ Nicche. “Gigs and playing live shows is probably the biggest source of income, but alternative streaming services, such as Bandcamp, assist in supporting artists such as myself,” DJ Nicche said. RadioU UOW · Is vault.fm here to assist in supporting small…
With a 2020 study suggesting that approximately 30 per cent of festival goers have used drugs at music festivals, will intervention methods such as pill testing be the answer to saving the lives of young people across the nation? Australia is known for its diverse music scene. Especially come festival season. Whether it be indie band enthusiasts, rave heads or conscious rap fans, the majority of young music consumers flock to the sensory playgrounds, craving a form of dopamine that doesn’t translate through a pair of headphones. These gatherings of music lovers create a thrilling atmosphere, where soulful notes of…