The football fan who found his voice behind the mic

Scotty Lamont has always loved talking football. Today, thousands of people are listening.

A following built on football

The 27-year-old Essendon supporter, who has an intellectual disability, has built a following of more than 26,000 people on TikTok, where his football videos have attracted fans from across Australia. He’s also become a regular voice on community radio, after discovering broadcasting through Wallara Australia’s Media Pathway program.

From guest appearance to Friday regular

Scotty joined Wallara’s hospitality team at Sages Café, one of the organisation’s social enterprises, in 2020. It was there he discovered a passion for broadcasting, after joining Radio Port Phillip FM’s monthly outside broadcasts from the farm.

What started as a guest appearance alongside broadcaster John Shore OAM quickly became one of the station’s most popular segments. Today, Scotty travels to RPPFM’s Mornington studios every Friday, where he interviews AFL players, shares match predictions and entertains listeners with his passion for football.

Shore, RPPFM’s president and Friday Breakfast presenter, has watched Scotty’s confidence grow over the years.

“From the little fella I met seven years ago to the young man now, what I see is poles apart. He’s not shy anymore and he can talk about football with his head underwater. It’s a match made in heaven,” he says.

“We always get messages come through on the text line, the listeners love it. Seeing these young people come out of their shell, it’s beautiful.”

For Scotty, the opportunity has been about more than football.

“Sages Café is one of the best places on Earth to come to. I love being able to work with my mates and just banter about football,” he says.

A program built for real audiences

Every year, more than 100 people with intellectual disability take part in Wallara’s Media Pathway program, creating community radio segments, podcasts, social media content, photography and video. The program runs across RPPFM, Casey Radio 97.7FM and Wallara’s purpose-built media studio at The Hub@Sages Cottage Farm.

Wallara CEO Phil Hayes-Brown says the program gives clients real broadcasting experience, not just training.

“Wallara clients aren’t just learning about media, they’re creating it. They’re interviewing guests, producing radio programs, recording podcasts and creating digital content that reaches real audiences,” he says.

“Scotty is a fantastic example of what’s possible when people are given genuine opportunities to build confidence and develop practical media skills.”

What started as a love of football has become something much bigger. Today, Scotty is interviewing AFL players and entertaining thousands of listeners and followers each week.