End Game with Tony Armstrong

Fed up with excuses and failed campaigns, Tony Armstrong is on a mission to find global solutions to the rising tide of racism in Australian sport and inspire lasting change. In this personal journey, Tony will travel across Australia, the US and the UK, seeking insights and solutions from athletes, coaches, fans, sporting bodies and authorities who are striving to tackle racism in sport. By exploring successful strategies, Tony aims to uncover solutions to be applied in Australia, from grassroots to elite levels. End Game will be a thought-provoking series that sparks meaningful conversations and offer hope for the future.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Commissioned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Produced by Barking Mad Productions, Smashing Films and Bacon Factory Films. Executive Producers: Steve Bibb, Dan Brown and Dean Gibson. ABC Head of Indigenous Kelrick Martin

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Screen Australia:

End Game : This three-part series for the ABC follows Tony Armstrong on a global mission to find solutions to combat the rising tide of racism in Australian sports to create real change for future generations — unpicking his own experiences on a personal journey of discovery, surprise, passion and understanding. End Game is executive produced by Daniel Brown (The Hospital: In the Deep End), Steve Bibb (Matildas: The World at Our Feet) and Dean Gibson (First Weapons). It has received major production investment from the ABC, with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest. International sales by ABC Commercial.

From Screenwest

Cameras rolling in Western Australia on powerful ABC documentary series, End Game, hosted by Tony Armstrong

Produced by Smashing Films, Barking Mad Productions and Bacon Factory Films, this three-part series will see Tony embark on a global mission to find solutions to combat the rising tide of racism in Australian sports.

Screenwest is pleased to announce powerful ABC documentary series, End Game hosted by Tony Armstrong and produced by Smashing Films, Barking Mad Productions and Bacon Factory Films, has kicked off production in Western Australia.

Fed up with excuses and failed campaigns, Tony Armstrong is on a global mission to find solutions to combat the rising tide of racism in Australian sports to create real change for future generations — unpicking his own experiences on a personal journey of discovery, surprise, passion and understanding.

In this personal journey, Tony will travel across Australia, the US and the UK, seeking insights and solutions from athletes, coaches, fans, sporting bodies and authorities who are striving to tackle racism in sport.

By exploring successful strategies, Tony aims to uncover solutions to be applied in Australia, from grassroots to elite levels.

This three-part series for the ABC has commenced filming in Western Australia, with the team set to travel to Melbourne, Sydney, London, Manchester, Liverpool and various locations across the US.

“We’re thrilled to have begun filming this series for the ABC! It’s been an incredible journey, made possible by our team who have worked very hard to bring it to life. We’re also incredibly fortunate to have Tony Armstrong on board, adding his unique insight and passion to the project.” said Daniel Brown, Executive Producer – Smashing Films.

“Screenwest is proud to be supporting this important and powerful documentary series from Western Australian production company, Smashing Films. Congratulations to all involved in creating this very timely, thought-provoking series.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.

“Racist behaviour in Australia impacts everyone, and our sporting heroes are no exception. End Game will not only shed light on this dark place but offer pragmatic solutions so we can all make steps toward real change in our society. ABC is excited to be part of Tony’s groundbreaking journey of discovery, and we can’t wait to share it with our audience.” said Kelrick Martin, ABC Head Indigenous.

End Game will premiere on the ABC later this year.

Production credit: End Game is a Smashing Films, Barking Mad Productions and Bacon Factory Films production for the ABC. Major production investment from the ABC and Screen Australia with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest. Executive produced by Daniel Brown (The Hospital: In the Deep End), Steve Bibb (Matildas: The World at Our Feet) and Dean Gibson (First Weapons). ABC Head of Indigenous, Kelrick Martin. International Sales by ABC Commercial.

ABC’s End Game with Tony Armstrong

Tackling racism in sport this October

The ABC is proud to announce a bold three-part investigative documentary series End Game with Tony Armstrong will premiere on Tuesday, 21 October at 8.30pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.

Fed up with excuses and failed campaigns, Tony Armstrong is on a mission to tackle racism in Australian sport. The former AFL player turned award-winning broadcaster embarks on a global search for solutions he hopes can drive systemic change to Australia’s own major sporting codes.

Through conversations with former athletes and sporting legends such as Sydney Swans’ Adam Goodes and Manchester United and England captain Rio Ferdinand, by exploring the role of athlete activism, uncovering breakthrough AI technology that tracks online hate and challenging our major codes to take stronger action, Tony seeks to inspire meaningful change in tackling racism in sport.

Tony’s mission to create a better future for athletes at all levels won’t happen overnight, but through athletes, institutions, and leadership, sport has the power to reshape Australia.

Production Credits: End Game with Tony Armstrong is a Smashing Films, Barking Mad Productions and Allstory Films production for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Major production investment from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Screen Australia. In association with Screenwest and Lotterywest. Executive Producers: Dan Brown, Steve Bibb and Dean Gibson. Series Director: Dean Gibson. Series Producer: Paul Williams. ABC Commissioning Editor and Head of Indigenous: Kelrick Martin. International Sales ABC Commercial.

EPISODE 1

TUESDAY 21 OCTOBER 8.30PM

Enough is enough. Fed up with excuses and failed campaigns, Tony Armstrong is on a mission to tackle racism in Australian sport.

Tony starts a global search for solutions that could help drive systemic change back home. From conversations with former athletes, to a landmark meeting with an innovative data science company, Tony’s on a mission to create a better future for athletes at all levels.

EPISODE 2

TUESDAY 28 OCTOBER 8.30 PM

Tony travels to the U.S. to learn from a culture where sport has long driven social change.
He meets journalist Steve Wyche, who covered Colin Kaepernick’s protest, and Angela LaChica from the Players Coalition, who stresses the power of coordinated advocacy.

At Angel City FC, Tony sees how clubs can embody activism, whilst in New York, NBA executive James Cadogan explains how the league supports players through its Social Justice Coalition.

Tony chats with Michael Holding, who challenges him to return to Australia and ask those in power why they’re not doing more to create change.

EPISODE 3 Final

TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 8.30 PM

He begins with two cricket stars who despite different cultural backgrounds, both embody athlete
advocacy and the power of using their platform for equality.

Tony speak with Tanya Hosch prior to her removal as the AFL’s highest-ranking Indigenous administrator, before demanding answers from AFL CEO Andrew Dillon.

Tony consults academics and educators on why racism remains so hard to call out. He ends his journey by challenging the government to take stronger action.

ABC News 7pm bulletin tonight had a report on the show, including snippets with former sporting stars.

Tony Armstrong features in an interview in News Corp’s Weekend magazines today (paywall)

Tony Armstrong reveals daily racist abuse ahead of powerful new ABC series

This brutally honest, raw and powerful three-part series is the first thing he’s truly been proud of, in all his 36 years.

“It’s taken me 36 years to be able to say that I’m proud of things, and I’m proud of this one for sure,” Armstrong, who was born in Sydney’s Paddington, grew up in rural NSW and now lives in Melbourne, tells Sydney Weekend.

“It’s the best stuff I’ve done.”

Matt Clinch chatted with Tony live in ABC Melbourne studio during Grandstand this afternoon, about End Game and racism in sport in general.