Jacqui Oatley was awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to broadcasting and diversity in sport. The Wolverhampton born and bred commentator, pundit and presenter is one of the most well respected broadcasters in the UK. But Oatley’s rise to become a regular on British television was far from direct.
Oatley recalled the start of her career in broadcasting, after an injury stopped her from playing football and not knowing what career she wanted, she began taking evening classes in Journalism and broadcasting before giving up her job and flat to work for free to gain experience in sports journalism whilst sleeping on her friends floors. She then went on to study broadcast journalism at Sheffield Hallam University before getting a job at BBC Radio Leeds, where she covered her first game, Wakefield and Emley against Worksop Town. Oatley rose from the bottom, from Wakefield and Emley to a regular face in British Sport.
Unlike Oatley, Matt Murray was a professional goal keeper for Wolverhampton Wanderers. Although Murray had been involved in professional sport, this presented a different set of challenges. Murray had to juggle his new job with personal relationships. Also, he had no journalistic expertise. Murray can often be found now giving his views on Soccer AM amongst others.
These two equally talented and respected broadcasters highlight just how open the profession is, allowing people to come from different angles. The key similarities between the two’s rise is their willingness to learn, work hard and determination to make it in a competitive industry.
Haydn Evans 