Greg Gliddon is a sports and community journalist at The Ballarat Courier, where he chronicles grassroots athletics and civic issues in regional Victoria. His work bridges competitive sports analysis with narratives about how local institutions shape daily life.
With 150+ bylines annually, Gliddon remains essential reading for understanding Western Victoria’s sporting heartbeat and grassroots governance challenges.
Gliddon’s bylines at The Ballarat Courier since at least 2025 reveal a journalist who prioritizes accessibility over sensationalism. Unlike metropolitan reporters chasing viral headlines, he focuses on how regional sports leagues and civic issues shape daily life. His early work included covering local cricket matches and school athletics, gradually expanding to investigative pieces like the Winter Valley trench safety failures. This progression underscores his dual role as a sports chronicler and community watchdog.
This piece exemplifies Gliddon’s ability to spotlight grassroots resilience. When Ballarat North United’s women’s team faced collapse due to low registration, Gliddon documented their 24-hour recruitment drive that mobilized partners of male players into first-time athletes. Through goalkeeper Georgia Edwards’ perspective, he highlighted how community bonds transcend competitive rigor. The article’s impact extended beyond sports pages, sparking discussions about gender participation gaps in regional leagues.
Gliddon’s season previews for the Ballarat Football Netball League (BFNL) blend tactical analysis with club culture insights. In this installment, he interviewed five coaches about roster changes and youth development strategies. Unlike metropolitan sports journalism focused on star players, Gliddon emphasizes how volunteer-driven clubs balance competitiveness with sustainability—a recurring theme in his coverage.
Demonstrating his range beyond sports, Gliddon dissected a coroner’s report on construction site fatalities, translating legal jargon into actionable takeaways for local tradespeople. His follow-up interviews with bereaved families added emotional weight to regulatory critiques, showcasing his ability to humanize institutional failures.
Gliddon prioritizes stories where sports intersect with social cohesion, like his coverage of Ballarat North United’s recruitment crisis. Pitches should emphasize how local athletes or clubs address broader issues like gender equity or youth engagement rather than purely competitive angles.
His analysis of BFNL roster changes demonstrates appetite for region-specific statistics. Provide access to participation rates, funding allocations, or infrastructure investments unique to Western Victoria to support story development.
The Winter Valley trench investigation succeeded by pairing regulatory analysis with family testimonies. When pitching civic issues, lead with affected individuals’ experiences rather than abstract bureaucratic processes.
While formal accolades aren’t documented, Gliddon’s work consistently drives civic engagement. His soccer team revival story prompted Ballarat City Council to fast-track grants for women’s sports facilities—a testament to his reporting’s practical impact.
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