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International Women’s Day is celebrated annually, and this year’s theme is ‘Give to Gain.’ Give To Gain emphasises the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction; it is intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.

The International Women’s Day website is encouraging people to share knowledge, call out stereotypes, challenge discrimination, question bias and celebrate women’s success. We spoke to TalkSPORT Producer Mya Graham about her career in football, her views on sexism and misogyny, her thoughts on the industry’s evolution, and her message to her younger self.

 

Describe yourself and tell us about your earliest connection to football. 

I grew up in a football household so there was no choice but for me to fall in love with football. Both my parents played football, and my older brother now plays professionally. He went through Aston Villa’s academy so seeing him play all the time and idolising my big brother as any younger sister does, I started playing when I was about seven and haven't looked back since! I am obsessed with every element of the game.

 

Describe your pathway to TalkSPORT? Did you always want to work in sports media? 

I loved playing football but never thought that I could play professionally, but I knew it was the only industry I wanted to work in, so I went to UCFB to study Football Business and Media. I did an A Level in Media at Sixth Form and my love for it continued into university where I thrived with the media modules (and not so much the business).

After graduating in 2020 I was put in contact with Jacqui Oatley (one of WIF’s co-founders and current WIF ambassador) who my brother knew from playing for Wolves. She acted as a great mentor for me as I navigated the working world for the first time. She was the one who forwarded the role at talkSPORT which I never would have seen!  

It was their first apprenticeship scheme that they were running, allowing me to earn an NCTJ alongside being in the workplace. From over 1800 candidates, I managed to secure one of the three positions.

 

 

What does an average day/week look like in your individual role? 

I currently work across lots of different things at talkSPORT. I Assistant Produce across two shows, Kick Off and White and Jordan whilst also doing two days a week on visual editing and a weekend day on live sport. I produced talkSPORT2’s women’s football show for two years but took a step back last year to pursue other producing opportunities on talkSPORT and in the last six months I have found myself filling in for producers across several shows on the station which has really given me range in my producing skills.

 

In an interview with WIF last year, Reshmin Chowdhury cited BCOMS stats outlining the lack of diversity in UK media. What needs to change? Are there any positive initiatives that you'd like to raise awareness of?

It is fairly obvious we still have a long way to go in closing the gap between majority and minority groups within this industry; however, our office looks and feels completely different to when I walked through the door five years ago. It is through initiatives like BCOMS, and communities like VERSUS and Women in Football, that are actively changing the landscape through culture.

I think there is still a long way to go, especially in senior leadership positions in the industry, as diversity of thought is so important and if that diversity is at the top level, then everyone else will feel the impact.

 

The results of WIF's latest annual workforce survey suggest the 'dinosaur attitudes' WIF’s founders encountered 20+ years ago are still too prevalent. What message do you have for anyone who believes sexism and misogyny in the workplace is acceptable behaviour in 2026?

I pity anyone who feels sexism and misogyny is acceptable in the workplace in 2026. No form of discrimination is acceptable anywhere, ever. We live in a society that is fuelled by diverse people, opinions, and businesses and for anyone who still believes it's acceptable, I would challenge them to live in a society where diversity doesn't exist and see how prosperous it is.

Women’s opinions in this industry matter just as much as men's and that's not going away anytime soon.

 

 

News UK became a corporate WIF member in October 2024, to work with WIF on projects that will ‘empower female employees and bring progress towards a gender-equal workplace.’

As a woman in football, how positive are you that equality of opportunity for all genders is becoming more the rule than the exception?

There was a time for women in this industry where it was near impossible to be taken seriously or listened to at all. You always had to prove yourself because you were a woman, despite being just as qualified as the men. I’m not suggesting that has completely gone and I don't underestimate the struggle there still is for women working in football, but from my experience I do feel like things are improving and that's due to representation.

If there are women in positions of power and authority representing what we can really do, that creates more opportunities for women to follow suit.

 

What still needs to change to encourage more women to believe the football industry is welcoming, inclusive and one they can thrive in?

As mentioned previously, representation is so important. I remember when I was growing up, I thought I couldn't play football professionally or even work in football because I saw no women’s game on TV and heard no women on the radio.

But with the growth of the women's game as well as female commentators, presenters, and pundits, I know that young girls watch the TV and listen to the radio knowing now that they can pursue any career in football that they want to. It just needs to continue.

 

 

As a member of WIF, what have you most gained from being a WIF member? Why would you recommend someone who isn't a member, to join?

I think being a WIF member offers you community and when you're a minority in an industry, building a community of like-minded women is so important. Knowing that there are so many women in similar positions to you who are able to share their wealth of knowledge in different areas is so important. It’s allowed so many women to grow whilst feeling supported at the same time.

 

If you were doing an interview with The Players' Tribune tomorrow, what inspirational message would you write to your younger self?

Believe. I would tell my younger self to believe that I am able to do anything that I put my mind to. Working in football is my dream job but it didn't come without hard work, and for that I needed to believe in myself. And still being early in my professional career, I still have so many goals and ambitions that I'm yet to achieve but I know if I trust in my own ability, I'll get there.

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