Warwick Hadfield
Warwick Hadfield | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Sports journalist, songwriter, playwright, author, poet |
| Known for | Sports journalism; presenter on ABC Radio National; author of Never Short of a Word; founder of Dancing with Socrates |
| Notable work | Never Short of a Word; Sheeds: Follow Your Dreams; The 500 Club: Footy's Greatest Coaches; The Long March: Reflections from a Lifetime in Football |
Warwick John Hadfield OAM is an Australian professional known for his work as a sports journalist, songwriter, playwright, author, and poet.
Originally from Sydney, Hadfield relocated to Geelong in 1997 following his wife Alison’s appointment to a senior management position at Deakin University, where she contributed significantly to enhancing the institution’s research standing alongside Professor Pip Hamilton.
Following completion of high school, Hadfield spent a decade working within the New South Wales public service before transitioning into sports journalism. His early career included roles at local newspapers in the Sutherland Shire and with the Australian Associated Press (AAP), primarily reporting on Sydney’s grade cricket. He then gained experience at The Daily Telegraph in England before returning to Australia in the 1980s and early 1990s to join The Australian. There, he undertook various responsibilities such as Chief of Staff, Editorial Writer, and Chief Sports Correspondent, covering prominent international sporting events including the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, international cricket fixtures, and rugby union matches.
From 1992 until 1997, Hadfield held the position of Marketing Manager for ABC Tasmania. Since 1996, he has been affiliated with ABC Radio National, serving as presenter for The Sports Factor as well as fulfilling duties as sports editor and presenter on RN Breakfast.
Hadfield’s expertise was also utilized during a three-year tenure as communications manager for the Geelong Football Club. Additionally, he has offered voluntary support in administrative and promotional roles for community organizations such as Newtown and Chilwell Cricket Club and Friends of Barwon Side Quarry.
He acknowledges significant career influence from mentorship by cricket commentator Richie Benaud and advice received from AFL coach Kevin Sheedy.
As founder of the musical ensemble Dancing with Socrates, Hadfield has overseen the release of three EPs. In 2022, his composition The Old River Knows, performed by Lindsay Field, Sam See, and Glyn Mason, was published.
His literary work Never Short of a Word features a collection of his short stories and poetry.
In recognition of his contributions to broadcast media as a journalist and his involvement in arts, music, and community service, Hadfield was honored with the OAM in 2019.
Books
- Cricket Rebels by Chris Harte and Warwick Hadfield, Sydney, QB Books, 1985
- Sporting Diets by Warwick Hadfield, Sydney, Lilyfield Publishers, 1987
- Never Short of a Word by Warwick Hadfield, Self-published, 2012
- Sheeds: Follow Your Dreams by Kevin Sheedy with Warwick Hadfield, Melbourne, Crown Content, 2001
- The 500 Club: Footy's Greatest Coaches by Kevin Sheedy with Warwick Hadfield, Melbourne, News Custom Publishing, 2004
- The Long March: Reflections from a Lifetime in Football by Kevin Sheedy with Warwick Hadfield, Melbourne, Slattery, 2013