Niav Owens is an Australian sports broadcaster known for her warm, upbeat style and deep passion for sport. She has anchored major events – currently she juggles roles on ABC Radio (Newcastle mornings), SBS and Optus Sport (World Cup and Asian Cup), and Network 10/Paramount+ (A-League soccer).
Early Life in Hinton to Broadcasting
Niav Owens’s story starts “in the regional NSW town of Hinton”. Growing up there meant endless outdoor play with her brothers – “no fences, few rules and lots of local kids having a cracking time”. Sports were everywhere. Her Irish-born father was a passionate football fan, and Niav and her brothers would gather on the couch to watch games together. “There was a huge amount of excitement in our home for the World Cup,” she recalled – a feeling that would eventually become her everyday life.
Even as a child, Niav dabbled in many sports – tennis, cricket, soccer, volleyball – but she also discovered a love for storytelling. With radio playing constantly at home, she tuned in to ABC Grandstand and was inspired by female commentators like Simone Thurtell and Tracy Holmes. Those voices showed Niav that she could carve a path in sports media. She pursued that dream academically: Owens graduated from the University of Newcastle with a double degree in Journalism and Law. Her university even featured her in a leadership talk, noting she’s a proud Newcastle alumna.
Breaking In: ABC and Beyond
After university, Niav’s broadcasting career kicked off at ABC Newcastle. In 2007, she began as a sports reporter for ABC’s regional radio station. She learned the ropes working with veteran Craig Hamilton, producing his sports program, which she says “gave me a taste for it”. Later, she even filled in on radio breakfast shows. A one-year internship at ABC TV broadened her experience – “an introduction to television” where Niav cut her teeth on live games and everything from the Paralympics to local football leagues. By 2009, she was already hosting a local breakfast radio show in the Hunter region.
In those early years, Niav worked hard across many ABC platforms: local radio, ABC News24, and the main National Grandstand sports program. She eventually became the full-time National Grandstand host on ABC Radio, talking about sports with listeners across the country. Niav also appeared on TV, covering events like the Invictus Games. This decade of work at ABC improved her skills and on-air style – by 2021, she was an experienced broadcaster, ready for bigger national opportunities.
On the Big Stage: World Cups and Major Tournaments
The 2019 Women’s World Cup in France was Niav Owens’s first major international stage. As part of Optus Sport’s team, she reported on the tournament – a dream assignment for the football-loving regional girl. Optus’s head of football, Richard Bayliss, had specifically brought her aboard to “share the excitement” of that event, and Niav later described it as “one of the best things I have ever worked on”. Riding high on that experience, Niav moved on to even bigger assignments.
In 2021, she fronted Optus Sport’s coverage of UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021). Again showing her knack for big-tournament energy, Owens anchored the broadcasts and wove in the drama of the post-COVID world of sports.
Her rising profile caught the eye of SBS, Australia’s football broadcaster. In late 2022, Niav “took a dream job”, joining SBS as a lead studio host for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Alongside former Socceroos stars like Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich, she anchored studio coverage – the culmination of every World Cup since 1986 for SBS. She later told Domain that co-hosting the World Cup was “mind-blowing” and beyond what she’d ever imagined.
Niav’s momentum continued in 2023. She was one of three main hosts for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on Optus Sport, bringing the same enthusiasm to the Women’s game. Almost immediately after, she stepped into domestic football: Owens joined Network 10’s coverage of the A-League Men’s and Women’s (Australia’s top soccer leagues) and international Socceroos and Matildas matches on 10/Paramount+. Her experience also led to a role on the returning panel show Dubzone (APL’s women’s football show on 10Plus).
Fast-forward to 2026: Niav returned to SBS for another FIFA World Cup, this time held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Guardian mentioned her as one of SBS’s “youthful presenters” along with Claudio Fabiano.
Career at a Glance
Below is a quick reference to Niav Owens’s key stats and roles:
| Name: | Niav Owens |
|---|---|
| Education: | Univ. of Newcastle (Bachelor of Journalism & Bachelor of Laws) |
| Current Role: | Sports broadcaster: ABC Newcastle radio presenter; lead host for SBS football coverage; host for Optus Sport & Network 10 soccer broadcasts |
| Notable Shows/Events: | ABC Newcastle Mornings; SBS FIFA World Cup Studio; Optus Sport FIFA Women’s World Cup; Network 10 A-League & Socceroos matches |
Behind the Mic: Persona and Projects
Away from game broadcasts, Niav extends her communication skills to helping others. She founded Media Goals, a consulting firm that coaches athletes and sports executives on media and presentation skills. “It was Richard Bayliss who gave me the chance…” she once said of her career boosts, but she’s also paying it forward by teaching athletes “how to be at the top of their game when not playing”. She also frequently returns to her Newcastle roots, currently presenting the Newcastle Mornings radio program on ABC.
