Julienne Heath has been part of the sports broadcasting industry for almost two decades, and has had to deal with a lot of disappointment when trying to get herself into the industry, but she owes her solid career to perseverance.
Getting a start in any career is never an easy task, but what Heath found was vital in ensuring her success was being determined and not letting the ‘No’s’ set you back. She explains how she got into the industry when she returned to Cape Town after finishing her studies in England, and went on to do light television entertainment work.
Heath shared anecdotes about the challenges of getting noticed, and the importance of not taking rejections personally.
“I would send out my CV and in those days you were handwriting, and sometimes, over the years, I would get a call from a company and it would be like, three years later and they like, hi, we found your CV, in our folder, and we’re looking for a stage manager or we’re looking for a floor manager.”
“So I think a big thing is, is that people are busy, companies are busy, and we must never think that they will remember us.
International Sports Broadcast Professional, Julienne Heath
“Just have to keep sending it out, and it is soul-destroying when you don’t get it. You message someone and you never hear back from them. It would always be nice if someone just said ‘Thanks, but no, thanks’. People don’t do that. You just have to be very persistent.”
It was in 2009 that Heath’s journey in sports broadcasting took off as she landed a role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament that was held in South Africa. However, fast forward eight years later when she started working on women’s sports tournaments.
“There was the 2017 Women’s World Cup, and it was the first women’s cricket that I worked on, and I loved it. It was really rewarding. It gave you a broader perspective, yes, not just in sport itself, but the sort of cultural and systemic challenges that women face.”
Along with her extensive work in various Cricket World Cups, she was also part of the broadcast crew at the inaugural WXV2, which was held in South Africa and involved the Springbok Women.
Heath was one of the historic all-female crew for the 2023 Netball World Cup held in Cape Town. She says the production team was given some extensive training in preparation for the event, which is something she has never encountered before and was a great learning experience.
“One of the camerapersons said they did the training with the girls and had a remote control car, and that’s how they were following the cameras as practice. I stand corrected, but I think that was one of the things they did. Then we had workshops where the commentators and the presenters would put these workshops together for us, and we would play matches and they would explain all the rules, and what they will ask us for.”
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While the spotlight is usually on those in front of the camera, Heath plays an equally important role in ensuring a live broadcast goes off smoothly. She explains how her job bridges the gap between the field and the control room.
“We are like the eyes and ears on the field for the director. I have to say so what we do is we sort of, we bridge the gap between what is going on in the field, yes, and the control room.”
“We relay important information to the producer, the director, and the commentators. If you take it, we ensure that the timings are aligned with broadcast.”
Heath advised those aspiring to join the industry to ensure they complete some sort of work experience to increase their chance of securing permanent employment.
“When I started, I had a lot of work experience and in the UK, they don’t pay you. You have to get your way there. Put yourself out there. Ask if you can come and shadow on jobs. Get a feeling for it and be prepared to put your hand in your pocket if this is really what you need to do.
“I mean, that’s how I got my first job in TV. I did four weeks of work experience, and then I was offered a runner’s job. Then slowly, I worked my way out. But yes, for those four weeks, I had to find somewhere to stay in London for free; you also don’t want to be abused. Of course, people think you can work for free.”
She also acknowledges that working for free might not be something most people are able to do but urges youngsters to do their utmost in order to make their career dreams come true.
“It’s not always easy, especially if you come from a poor background. You are going to have to have money to go and do it. You have to save some cash, put some cash aside, and just keep doing it.”
“I think the biggest thing as a freelancer, is to always have money for a rainy day.”
“If you want to get something, go shadow and get some experience, start saving, and put some cash aside. Don’t sit and think that things will fall on your lap. You have got to be persistent and don’t give up; it really will come.”
Main Photo Caption: “Be persistent!” That is the advice from Floor Manager Julienne Heath who has a wealth of experience in her field and knows that getting your foot in the door can sometimes be tricky. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Heath’s behind-the-scenes work during a live broadcast is to bridge the gap between the on-field action, and the control room.
Photo 3 Caption: Among the historic all-female crew for the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, Heath says that the production team was given extensive training.
Photo 4 Caption: Heath is pragmatic about the nature of the job: “I think the biggest thing as a freelancer, is to always have money for a rainy day.”
Photo 5 Caption: After nearly two decades in the industry, and having to deal with a lot of disappointment, Heath says she owes her career to perseverance.
