Rachel Jones-Wilby

I started my journey into sports media at the age of 18. I was actually determined to not go into sport. I was very aware it was a male dominated world and I wasn’t sure how I’d fit in. But I fell into it quite easily, my knowledge and passion for sport helped me in my career and I’m lucky to have had so many supporters who pushed me to be better. I completed my first freelance role in February 2018 where I traveled to Sweden to cover the Champions Hockey League Final. Creating content, interviewing players, it grew from there. For three years following that I became the only female member of the team. With the confidence that came from travelling Europe and completing that role I looked to pursue another dream, a masters in Sport Broadcasting. I decided to focus on directing live sport. The thrill and adrenaline of live sport is what drives and excites me, but all journeys have bumps in the road. My directing journey came to a hold as Covid hit. In 2021, I took a job as a production engineer. I wasn’t trained in engineering but learnt on the job. This not only was a challenge in itself, but navigating a world in which I wasn’t respected in was also difficult. Taking on this role was so rewarding for myself and helped me grow as an individual. Although, there’s only so many years someone can do what they’re not trained to do or love. Last year I was given the opportunity to change departments and pursue my career in directing. Now, I’m a respected live director in Matchroom where I’m given the chance to direct broadcast snooker as well as darts, nineball pool and boxing.