Celebrating our community's sporting success

02 August 2024

CONNECTED – the University’s digital alumni and supporter magazine – spoke to two of Reading’s graduates about the pivotal roles they are playing in this year’s summer of sport.

Following a nail-biting Euros final for England fans, BBC Sport producer Phil Bigwood, talks all things sports – from Match of the Day and the Olympics to World Cups and the Euros.

Politics and international relations graduate Phil grew a passion for sports while playing football at Reading, and upon graduating was unsure of his career path but knew he wanted to work within the world of sport. With perseverance, he managed to get his foot in the door at BBC Sport and worked his way up from a clerk to an executive producer.

Phil was responsible for the production elements of the BBC’s Euro 2024 coverage in Germany. He led on the studio plans in Berlin, liaised with UEFA on production plans, was involved in the talent decisions, budget and TV scheduling as well as various other elements such as the logistical planning.

His career spans numerous major events – including every FIFA World Cup from 2002 to 2022. Phil also produced coverage for the UEFA European Championships from 2004, the 2012 London Olympics, as well as cricket, heavyweight title fights, cycling, snooker, darts and even water-skiing.

Phil said: “Working alongside some of my sporting heroes has been amazing.

“The buzz of live broadcasting and knowing the whole country is watching is unmatched. Yes, it can be pressurised and fraught, but the reward when a programme goes well can’t be beaten.”

From Reading to Tokyo and now Paris

Reading alumna Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne, and her rowing partner Rebecca Wilde, are celebrating after winning a bronze medal in the women's double sculls final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The chemistry graduate has been rowing since the age of 13 and following her success at the Tokyo Olympic Games, embarked on a new journey into motherhood which threw up a new set of challenges – and benefits – to being an elite athlete.

When Mathilda fell pregnant with her son Freddie, she didn’t want this to spell the end of her rowing career. She said: “Elite sport is becoming more accepting of mothers and their careers. There’s still a large disparity between different sports and coaches, but it’s moving in the right direction. The fact that I’ve gone from giving birth in 2022, to competing in the Olympics in 2024 just shows how the sport is changing.

“One of the main reasons I decided to return to rowing was because I wanted to see if it was possible to be both a mum and an elite athlete. It’s a real juggling act.

“There’s definitely benefits to being both a mother and an athlete. Having Freddie has definitely improved my rowing, and I’m a better mum because of my rowing.”

Mathilda hopes that her journey will inspire others to have the confidence to try and balance motherhood with elite sport, and that in doing so it doesn’t mean the end of your career.

“I know I’m not the first to balance motherhood with sport, but I really hope I’m not the last. And if my experience can help to keep a few more females in sport then that’s worth it.”