🚸 How I co-created Hardball, the Emmy-winning Australian kids’ TV show that captured hearts worldwide — and what I learned along the way as a children’s film & TV writer, director and content maker.
- Matt Zeremes
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 31
Behind the Scenes of Creating Hardball — From Scrappy Beginnings to Emmy Stage
When I first started developing Hardball with my best mate and creative partner Guy Edmonds, I didn’t set out to win an International Emmy®. My goal was simple: to create something funny, heartfelt, and uniquely Australian. I wanted to make a kids’ TV series that my own children would love.
It all began with a short film about two dads on a playdate. They got into an epic handball battle. It was a blast to shoot, and more importantly, it sparked the idea for a children’s television series centered around schoolyard handball.
🎬 It All Started With a Simple Idea
Our story of Mikey Mahaki — an underdog, misfit, Kiwi kid trying to become the best handball player in Western Sydney — found its way to audiences around the globe. In 2020, Hardball won an International Emmy® for Best Children’s Series.
Due to COVID lockdowns, I couldn’t attend the awards in person. However, I’ll never forget the feeling when our amazing producer Catherine Nebauer called to tell us we’d won.
🎯 What Hardball Is Really About
At its core, Hardball is about belonging. Mikey is a fish-out-of-water navigating a new world. He forges new friendships and learns to stand tall in a school where handball is everything.
We aimed for the show to be scrappy, bold, and full of heart — just like the kids we were writing for. The story was driven by Mikey’s optimism in the face of adversity and the friendships that gave him strength.
🧠 What I Learned Writing & Creating Hardball
As a film and TV writer, especially in the kids’ space, tone is everything. Kids are sharp. They know when they’re being talked down to — and they tune out fast.
Here’s what I believe worked:
Respecting the audience’s intelligence. We never dumbed it down.
Leading with humour. This helped us explore big themes like grief, bullying, identity, and cultural pride.
Making it specific — but universal. We set it in Western Sydney, knowing the story would resonate with kids everywhere.
Most importantly, we created a diverse cast of characters that kids could see themselves in — and fall in love with.
🎥 Directing It Felt Like Recess
I was lucky enough to direct a few episodes of Hardball, alongside incredible directors like Darren Ashton, Fadia Aboud, and, of course, Guy Edmonds. It was honestly the most fun I’ve ever had on a set.
We filmed in real schoolyards, worked with incredibly talented young actors, and choreographed handball rallies that felt more intense than actual sports movies.
Every day on set, I aimed to keep the energy playful, the performances alive, and the tone on point. As a director and content maker, I stayed nimble and open — capturing the raw, joyful chaos of our ragtag team of handball heroes.
I wanted every moment to be playful, full of energy, and feature exceptional performances. As a director and content maker, my job was to stay nimble, respond to what was happening in the moment, and capture the messy, beautiful energy of our ragtag team of handball heroes.
🌍 From the Playground to the Podium
We knew Hardball was special — but we didn’t expect it to resonate around the world.
The show aired in over 30 countries, and in 2020 it won an International Emmy® Kids Award. Season 2 was nominated again in 2022 — and while we didn’t win that time, it was still surreal to be nominated twice.
It felt like winning a handball tournament… but on a global stage.
One of my favourite moments was telling my mum, my wife, and my three gorgeous kids that we’d won. They were so proud — and so was I — probably giving Guy a high five too!
❤️ Why I Love Making Stories for Kids
Creating Hardball reminded me why I love making stories for young audiences: because they’re honest, funny, emotional — and they matter.
As a children’s TV writer, director, and content creator, I don’t take the responsibility lightly. These shows shape imaginations, offer comfort, and reflect the diverse, funny, scrappy world kids actually live in.
It also gave me confidence — that a show can be both ridiculous and meaningful, and that there’s a global appetite for authentic, heartfelt, funny stories for kids.
🚀 Want to Work Together?
If you’re developing a kids’ series — or any project that needs humour, heart, and a bit of chaos — send them this post — and let’s make magic together.
Get in touch.
Matt Zeremes
Film and TV writer, director, and content maker
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