Recommended Free Tools
ABC sports broadcaster Corbin Middlemas’s 2018 first-person essay was about his own experience of being gay in Australian sport—not an athlete coming out. He wrote about growing up with Australian rules football, building a career in sports broadcasting and feeling a divide between the game he loved and who he was. PerthNow reported that footballers and media figures praised the essay after its publication.
What Middlemas wrote about his experience
In his essay for ABC News, published on 14 August 2018, Middlemas recalled that Australian rules football had always mattered to him. From an early age, however, he felt a tension between the sport and his sexuality. He had dreamed of working in sports broadcasting, volunteered at a community radio station while still at school and was working full-time for the ABC in his home city by 19.
He also explained why he did not want sexuality to define how people first saw him: “I never wanted my sexuality to be the first thing people knew about me.” His essay described being gay as one part of an otherwise familiar sports-fan identity. Its headline captured his concern that visibility in Australian life had not, in his view, been matched on the sporting field: “We see openly gay men in every aspect of Australian life, except on the sporting field.”
Why he chose to speak publicly
In a later interview with AFL.com.au, Middlemas said having a public-facing job gave him a platform and made him feel an obligation to tell his story. He hoped people with similar experiences would recognize that they were not alone. He described the industry’s response as overwhelmingly positive. The outlet’s interview is available as “LISTEN: Commentator Corbin Middlemas on being gay within the AFL industry”; its publication date is not established here.
#1 Best Overall
- Package Includes: 1 Pairs (2pcs) wristbands，size:measure approx. 3.15 x 3.15 inch/ 8 x 8 cm (L x W), with flexible elasticity provides enough wristband coverage
- Quality material: the wrist sweatbands are made of 85% , 12% spandex and 3% nylon, soft and comfortable to wear, lightweight and durable for use
- Absorb sweat and dry quickly: sweat wristbands are designed with dual-layer thick organic material, effectively absorb sweats and and dry quickly, making you totally focused in your sports
- Helpful for sports: Sports wristband is lightweight to be used in gym,, basketball, soccer, tennis, workout, running, walking, yoga, cycling, badminton, baseball, table tennis and any other physical exercise activities
What the response included
PerthNow reported on 14 August 2018 that footballers and media figures praised Middlemas’s disclosure and frank assessment. The outlet quoted WAFL player Haiden Schloithe calling him “All class legend” and broadcaster Basil Zempilas saying, “Bravo Corbie. Fine broadcaster. Top bloke.” These are reactions as reported by PerthNow, not a measure of how all people in sport responded.
The question Middlemas raised about sport and media
Middlemas recounted a retired AFL footballer suggesting that the concern might be the public “circus” around an openly gay player, rather than an issue within the locker room. He used that reported conversation to ask what it suggested about sports media and fans. It was a question, not evidence that all players, teams or supporters shared one view.
Rank #2
- Material: made of sweat-wicking cotton, which is soft and good absorbent for comfort; Lightweight and durable, maintains shape for long-term wearing
- Sweat-absorbent: sport headbands wristbands sweatbands are snug soft, breathable and moisture-wicking, which keep sweat out of your wrist, give you a comfortable sporting feeling
The essay is a personal account and commentary, not a survey of LGBTQ people, athletes or public attitudes. Its significance lies in Middlemas’s description of a broadcaster navigating his own identity in a field where, as he saw it, openly gay men were conspicuous by their absence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Middlemas’s ABC work
ABC’s profile describes Middlemas as a senior ABC Grandstand commentator and reporter based in Sydney, with experience covering AFL, cricket, basketball and boxing. ABC Listen’s dynamic AFL Monday with Corbin and Ben listing named him and Ben Cameron as presenters and included an episode published 28 September 2026. These details reflect the ABC pages as listed at that time and may change.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- ATHLETIC SWEATBANDS SET DESIGNED FOR ADULTS: The Suddora headband and wristband set are specially created for adults who participate in athletic activities. Whether you're engaged in basketball, tennis, or hitting the gym, this sweatband headband set is ideal for ensuring your comfort and concentration during intense workouts.
- EXCEPTIONAL SWEAT ABSORPTION & BREATHABILITY: These cooton athletic sweatbands offer impressive sweat absorption and breathability. Our moisture-wicking wristband effectively soaks up sweat from your hands and wrists, preventing distractions caused by perspiring palms and irritated eyes, while also keeping you cool & sweat-free.
- INCREDIBLY SOFT AND COMFORTABLE MATERIAL: Our headbands for men and women are crafted from a unique blend of cotton, nylon, and spandex. These sweat headbands are gentle on the skin, preventing irritation during exercise, spin classes, or cycling. The headband (7" x 2") and wristbands (3" x 3.5") have been designed to prioritize your comfort.
- VERSATILE FOR SPORTS AND FASHION WEAR: These exercise headbands serve multiple purposes and are suitable for various sports activities such as tennis, yoga, gymnastics, cycling, running, basketball, and athletics. Furthermore, our sport headbands add a stylish touch to your attire, allowing you to coordinate them with your jersey or outfit.
- VIBRANT-STRIPED COLOR COMBINATIONS: These striking and eye-catching color combinations complement various team jerseys and help you stand out during basketball games, football practices, or baseball matches. The striped colors match the colors of numerous country flags, making them suitable for Olympic athletes and other sporting events.
Rank #4
- Don’t Sweat It: These tennis wrist sweatbands and black wristbands use double-layer terry cloth to absorb sweat fast. Stay dry with wristbands sweatbands built for top performance every game.
- Super Comfort All Game Long: Whether for wrist bands tennis, athletic wristbands, basketball wristbands or sweatbands for women wrist, our sweat band wrist keeps you cool. Also works as a stylish black arm band.
- One-Size For All: These wrist sweat bands for men stretch for a snug fit. Made from durable fabric, these cloth wristbands keep their shape after washes. Try our black wristbands for a sleek look.
- Ultra Performance: Lightweight yet tough, these sweat wristbands for men wick sweat without distraction. Rely on our mens wristband, whether classic or a black arm band, for game-time freshness.
- Versatile Wear: These womens and mens wrist band sweatbands work for sports, cosplay, and more. Great as sweatbands for women wrist, athletic wristbands, or black wristbands for bold style.
Rank #3
- Comfortable and soft: the wrist sweatbands are made of12% spandex, 3% nylon, they are non-slip, lightweight and durable
- Elastic sweatbands: size is 3.15 x 3.15 inch (L x W), but they all have good elasticity which make them fit most men and women, great for all sports
- Sweat-absorbent: the sweat wristbands with good absorbent can wipe off sweat from your face when you exercise or do sports, wick moisture away and dry quickly, making you totally focused in your sports
- Multi uses: sports wristband great for all sports such as gym, basketball, soccer, tennis, workout, running, walking, yoga, cycling, badminton, baseball, table tennis, etc.
- Easy to wash: durable sweatband wristbands are washable by machine or hands, they maintain shape, elasticity and color for long term wearing
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
