About Marlee
Marlee Silva is a Dunghutti and Gamilaroi woman, podcaster, sports commentator, author, documentary maker and content creator.
“Shining a light on meaningful issues through storytelling and creating content across platforms”.
Education
- University of Wollongong – Bachelor, Creative Arts (Creative Writing)
- University of Technology Sydney – Bachelor, Communications (Honours)
What do you do?
I’m a sports reporter with Channel 9, working mostly on the sideline at NRL and NRLW Games, and around tennis during the Australian Open. My favourite project I work on is a podcast called, ‘Marlee and Me’, where I sit down with some of the biggest names in rugby league and talk with them about their family, culture and journey to success.
I also co-hosted the ‘When We Grow Up’ podcast with another NRL star, Nicho Hynes. Overall, I like to think of myself as a ‘storyteller’. I’ve also written three books in the last five years and recently created and starred in the SBS documentary ‘Skin in the Game’ which examined how rugby league can be part of the solution to domestic and family violence. I also create and share content with my Instagram community of 20,000 followers. So I do a lot!
Have you faced any challenges in your career?
Making a career in media isn’t easy for anyone! There’ve been plenty of ‘no’s’ and moments where I’ve had to change direction and try knocking on new or different doors – but I’ve never given up and also been so lucky to have people around me who believe in me.
The hardest moments have definitely been where I was putting way too much pressure on myself and piling the workload up on my plate to a point where I burnt myself out so I couldn’t do my best work anymore. Thankfully I’ve learnt how to balance work and fun now, and I’m very happy to say I have so much to be proud of. Reflecting on it all, makes my heart swell with pride!
Why is your work important?
I’m determined to use my storytelling skills to inspire people and create change and to advocate for the causes I’m most passionate about, especially First Nations people and community, women in sport and various other social issues.