Jacqui Oatley

Jacqui Oatley is a renowned English broadcaster, known for being one of the few female sports presenters in the industry. Born in Wolverhampton, England, in 1975, she attended the University of Leeds and graduated with a degree in Russian and German, which she went on to teach in a school. However, it was her love for football, which stemmed from watching games on the terraces with her father, that led her down a different career path.

Her broadcasting career began in 2003 at BBC Radio 5 Live as a producer for the “Jimmy Armfield Football Phone-In” show. She quickly moved up the ranks and in 2007, she made history by becoming the first female commentator on Match of the Day, the BBC’s flagship football programme. Since then, she has gone on to cover major sporting events, including the UEFA Women’s Euro 2009, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 2012 Olympic Games, and the 2016 UEFA European Championship.

In addition to her broadcasting career, Oatley is also an advocate for gender equality in sport. She is a founding member of Women in Football, an organization that promotes diversity and seeks to create opportunities for women in all areas of the football industry. Furthermore, she has been a vocal supporter of the Rainbow Laces campaign, which encourages LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.

Oatley’s success as a broadcaster has not gone unnoticed. She was awarded an MBE in 2016 for her services to broadcasting and diversity, and she is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Her dedication to promoting diversity and equality in sport, combined with her talent as a broadcaster, make Jacqui Oatley an influential figure in the industry, paving the way for future generations of women to follow in her footsteps.