About Tim Gavel
Sports commentator with ABC Grandstand for over 30 years Tim Gavel has called a range of sports including NRL, Super Rugby, Wallabies, Rowing World Cups, Rugby World Cups, Socceroos, Matildas, Opals, Boomers, WNBL, NBL, International Netball, Men's and Women's one day international cricket, Big Bash, World Volleyball League for Fox Sports, Rowing World Cup and National Championships for Fox Sports and the 2000 Paralympics.
All Articles
Sport
If things had been different in a sliding-doors moment, Jordan Rapana could have been playing for the Wallabies this weekend at the World Cup in Japan. Rapana, of course, will instead line-up for the Raiders in Sunday’s Grand Final against the Roosters in what seems as far away as possible from his days running around for Royals in the John...
Sport
I remember when I was first informed that Ricky Stuart would be returning to coach the Raiders. I wasn’t sure if it was the right move, having witnessed another legend recently depart the club. David Furner had been axed with three games to go before the end of the 2013 season and everybody associated with the club was emotionally drained...
Sport
When the Canberra Raiders made their debut in the NSWRL in 1982, few could have imagined that the side which finished with the wooden spoon in that first year would go on to win the premiership in their eighth season. The Greater Western Sydney Giants, with their well-documented connection to Canberra, also finished with the wooden spoon in their debut...
Sport
Last weekend I was at the Canberra Cup Water Polo tournament and saw an all female-coaching team in charge of a team of 17-year-old boys. I sincerely hope the sight will become so commonplace at all competitive levels in the future that I wouldn't even notice it. As it stands, there is still a dearth of women in senior sports...
Sport
As the Brumbies hierarchy prepares for this week’s Fan Forum, they'll be taking on board suggestions from a range of stakeholders but it is the opinion of those who are passionate about the team that should count for most: the fans. For many supporters, there had been a perception that their opinion counted for little before major changes were made...
Sport
Tom Green is accustomed to meeting AFL Talent scouts keen to know every aspect of his life and personality including his upbringing and schooling. For an 18-year-old it can be daunting, but it’s part and parcel of being a prospect in the build-up to the AFL Draft in November. And if you believe the hype, he has a chance of...
Sport
When Ricky Stuart signed on as coach of the Canberra Raiders in a three-year deal in 2014, he made it his mission to ensure his players were integrated into the community. Over the years there had been a feeling of disconnect. Players were doing plenty of school visits and the like but there was a sense they weren’t gaining traction...
Sport
Attempting to understand the vagaries of sport is often a challenging task. And anyone who is riding the wave with the Raiders to the finals series would understand the highs and the lows. But let’s give some time to others involved in sport that are facing their own trials and tribulations. The highs and lows are different in each case...
Sport
For the first time since she was 15 years old, Caroline Buchanan is sitting outside the top 50 in the World BMX rankings. After being cleared to return to full competition after complications with a sternum injury, Caroline has this week started the climb back in a bid to qualify for next year’s Tokyo Olympics. She is in unfamiliar territory,...
Sport
The Raiders come from behind victory over the Melbourne Storm was one of the greatest comebacks from a Canberra sporting team in living memory. To beat the Storm in Melbourne is one thing, but to beat this team when down 18-nil, sapped of energy and having played 20 minutes of the first half with 12 players, is hard to believe....
Sport
Having put myself through hundreds of tweets about Friday night’s AFL game between the Giants and the Hawks at Manuka Oval, I am convinced more than ever that the cold weather gives Canberra a point of difference. Sure, there was a certain amount of discord from some watching from afar questioning why the AFL would schedule night games in Canberra...
Sport
Such is his popularity, it would be no surprise to see a generation of young rugby league players in Canberra running around in the future donning Jarrod Croker-style white headgear. This could be partly due to the fact that he gives his headgear away to fans after each game, but more so as a reflection of his positive influence within...
Sport
A Football Federation fan forum in Canberra earlier this year moved to assure the local football community that the ACT would be one of the next to be considered for an A-League Licence. The assurance followed disappointment that Canberra had once again been overlooked in favour of a third team in both Sydney and Melbourne. The FFA though gave cause...
Sport
Nick Delatovic says he has learned to try for absurd long shots. None, it would appear, as being longer than to represent Australia in wrestling at next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games. What makes this story unique is the fact that Nick only took up the sport when he was 23 years old, an age when most people in wrestling are...
Sport
Switch on social media anytime during a televised sporting contest and the emotions are often overwhelming to the extreme, ranging from elation to despair. Seconds after a fixture is finished the Twittersphere erupts and in the wake of a loss there are calls for a coach to be axed or drastic changes to be made. More often than not we...
Sport
I just watched a replay of the 1989 grand final against the Balmain Tigers. Who could forget this most amazing game, etched in the minds or all Raiders fans? The self-belief and team spirit was incredible. Watching the current Raiders players mix with the team from 1989 at the Hall of Fame gala ball was a privilege. The chemistry between...