‘I want to give it the respect it deserves’

An emerging sports commentator, James Schmidt (Safotu, Saleufi - Sāmoa), takes pride in honouring the names of Pacific athletes during his commentary.

In 2024, he called around 40 rugby league and tag football broadcasts through live streams and Sky Sports.

Most recently, Schmidt commented on 23 games during the Pacific Youth Cup in Auckland.

He said that accurately pronouncing the players’ names is crucial to his job.

“The pronunciation of those Pasifika names, I know how much meaning every surname has, the history and the background behind it. I wanted to ensure I gave every surname the respect they deserved.

“I made sure to do my research and do a lot of preparation, just to ensure I did give them right. I wanted to make the player feel special and make them feel like this commentator takes time to pronounce correctly.

“It’s overlooked a lot, man. People would say them without knowing the meaning behind it. I tried to pride myself on that, and I guess I try to set myself apart from the other commentators.”

A dedicated rugby league fan, Schmidt unexpectedly found himself in the commentary chair in 2022 while helping a Toa Sāmoa team compete in the Pacific Youth Cup.

While preparing to leave the venue at Verona, he recalls one of the tournament organisers stopping him and asking if he had any experience with commentary.

“We were wrapping up, and I went to walk to the changing rooms to say my last goodbyes to everyone, and as I walked past, Verona, who was running the tournament at the time, stopped me and asked if I had any experience in commentating.

“I said I’d always thought about it but never really got myself into it. She told me the commentator for the u15s Grand Final had went home sick, so they needed a replacement.”

With only 10 minutes until kick-off, Schmidt made a split decision, “I could have regretted it for the rest of my life, but I jumped at the opportunity. It might have been the last chance I get”.

Schmidt commented on the under-15 grand final between Toa Sāmoa and New Zealand Māori, receiving positive feedback from viewers after the broadcast.

Despite not having many opportunities in 2023, he was invited back to commentate for the Pacific Youth Cup.

He says his biggest aim during broadcasts is to expose players to the significance of playing on live TV.

“That was the biggest thing for me. I wanted to repeat their name, bro and give every player that exposure. I wanted to ensure they realised how special it is to play on a live-streamed game.

“For me, I haven’t played on many live stream games, but hearing your names, it’s a different buzz it’s a different feeling! It’s not only on YouTube, it’s on Sky, there’s scouts that might be watching around the world.”

Schmidt says it’s important to discuss the game and the players themselves.

“My biggest thing was to ensure not only talking about the game, but about the product, and that is our players. Our rangatahi, our playing group. They don’t get these opportunities often.

“In edit (highlight-reel) videos, you can hear me say their last name six or seven times. I can never not say it enough, and to repeat that as many times I can, they know who you are, who your family are.

“They’re watching and saying ‘that’s my surname, they’re talking about me!’ that opportunity is enormous. I’ve had some players come up to me and show their gratitude in public.”

Schmidt admits to being shy, but getting behind the microphone sparked his enthusiasm for the game he loves.

“To be honest, bro, I didn’t train for it or practice much beforehand, but as soon as I put the mic, everything just flowed naturally. I didn’t have to overthink; it all just came to my head, and I think that’s what is special about finding this gig for myself.

“I started expanding my vocab, saying things I don’t usually say in my day-to-day life. It gave me a purpose in this life; there’s something that I’m capable of doing, and even though I did doubt myself going into it, it actually taught myself I can do something if I really back myself.”