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Vale: Rebecca Wilson

Sydney sports journalist and broadcaster, best known for covering NRL, has died aged 54.

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Sydney sports journalist and broadcaster Rebecca Wilson, best known for covering NRL for News Corp, has died aged 54.

The Daily Telegraph confirms she lost a long and private battle to cancer this morning.

Her husband John Hartigan and sons Tom and Will this morning said: “Our amazing Bec lost her long battle against breast cancer early today.

“She passed away peacefully in the family home in Sydney while surrounded by her loved ones.

“Courage has always been a significant part of her DNA, no less in her desperate battle against her insidious disease.

“Rebecca kept knowledge of her illness a closely guarded secret. The majority of her friends, colleagues and indeed members of her family were unaware of the extent of her illness. She did so to limit their suffering.

“We are so proud that she was so fearless in her chosen role as a sports journalist. She brushed aside evil trolls, bullies and organised crime figures to prosecute her craft.

“She proved that women had an equally important role in sports journalism as her male counterparts.

“We dearly love and miss our Bec.”

Wilson was often known for her forthright opinions especially in Sport, sometimes crossing swords with networks, talent or sporting identities.

She was a TEN News reporter from 1984 – 1988 and ABC Sports presenter from 1992 – 1995. She joined Tony Squires on The Fat from 2000 – 2003 and 110% Tony Squires and was a panelist on NRL Footy Show and Big Brother offshoot Big Mouth. There was also commentary on Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Sunrise and more recently as a regular on SportsNight with James Bracey.

Karl Stefanovic also paid tribute to her this morning, saying “a real light had gone out” with her death.

Co-host Sylivia Jeffries added that Wilson had paved the way for female journalists to succeed in the traditionally blokey world of sport.

9 Responses

  1. Rebecca was a strong willed jouno who definitely said what she thought. Sometimes I didn’t agree with what she said but she did have some good opinions.

    I enjoyed watching her on The Fat. Sympathies to her family especially her 2 sons and her brother Jim who only a few years ago lost his son now he has lost his sister.

  2. Very sad. She certainly had quite an extensive career, from The Fat and the Olympics to Big Brother! She also had a breakfast radio show in Sydney with Tony Squires and Mikey Robbins for a period on a now defunct FM station. It feels like I only just saw her as a panelist on Sportsnight on Sky News just the other day. All the best to her family and friends.

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