Some of the most esteemed photographers and journalists in the country have had their judging skills put to the test, as they’re tasked with picking the WISPAA 2025 finalists.
Women Sport Australia are delighted to announce an incredible judging panel for the 2025 edition, including Shane Tohl, Manager, Sports Assignments at Getty Images, Michelle Escobar, leading sports broadcaster and presenter, Michael Willson, Chief AFL Photographer and three-time winner of WISPAA, and Chloe Dalton, Olympic Gold Medallist and founder of The Female Athlete Project.
With almost 500 images submitted this year, our judging panel will determine 10 finalists from each category - Professional, Amateur and Female photographers - that show the power, strength and athleticism of Australian female athletes participating in sport.
Women In Sport Photo Action Awards 2025 - Exhibition & Winner Announcement tickets on sale now.
About our judges...
Shane Tohl
Shane Tohl is a passionate consumer of sports photography applying his passion for sport and its photography and media coverage to a career spanning over 20 years with Getty Images. Shane has played a role in sports photographic coverage of global and local sporting events including Olympic and Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, FIFA Women's World Cup, Australian Open and every major domestic league in the region.
Shane is excited by uncovering new and existing talent in sport photography and for the opportunity to be a part of the judging panel for the WISPAA, continuing to help drive the quality of the industry.
Michelle Escobar
Michelle Escobar is a leading sports broadcaster and presenter with Optus Sport, known for her dynamic coverage of global football. From the FIFA World Cups to the UEFA Euros, Michelle brings sharp insight and energy to her reporting. She has interviewed major figures across different sports especially in the women’s game, and hosts Australia’s only dedicated women’s football magazine show, The Women’s Football Wrap.
Michelle is excited to be part of the panel for the Women in Sport Photo Action Awards, as it’s such a great way to shine a light on the incredible moments and stories that make women’s sport so powerful and inspiring.
Michael Willson
Michael Willson is a three-time winner of the Women in Sport Photo Action Awards, completing the trifecta from 2019 - 2021 with “The Kick”, “From The Kick To A Punch”, and “The Leaning Tower of Tayla” - all featuring AFLW athlete Tayla Harris.
Michael is one of the most well respected photographers in the industry, creatively photographing all the action, triumph, heartbreak, blood, sweat and tears - often capturing moments otherwise unseen - from a unique perspective that can only come from an intimate knowledge and love for photography and Australian Football.
Chloe Dalton
Chloe Dalton is an Olympian, educator, advocate and Founder of the Female Athlete Project. She’s one of Australia’s few triple sport elite athletes – initially playing basketball in the WNBL with the Sydney Flames, before transitioning to rugby 7s, winning a gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. She then crossed codes again to Aussie rules, debuting for Carlton in 2019.
Chloe has since created The Female Athlete Project to address gender inequalities within the sports media space, and put the spotlight on the stories and achievements of women in sport, reaching an audience of over 300k.
The finalists will be announced in late June, and the winner will be announced in Sydney on 17 July at the Palangi Gallery in Surry Hills. Tickets for the event are on sale now.
