Crisis could set back the women’s game
Sports journalist Heather Dewar tells Jenny Morrison that she wants industry to keep its eye on the ball after coronavirus crisis as she looks ahead to new podcast that will dive into world of prominent female athletes
launched a new BBC Sounds podcast – Fair Play – where she will interview two prominent sportswomen every week.
Guests lined up will include Olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger, Scotland footballer Erin Cuthbert, tennis coach Judy Murray, and boxer Hannah Rankin.
Heather will encourage them to tell the stories she says are often only spoken about behind the scenes – with subjects including body image, equal pay and motherhood.
Heather, who lives with her family near Kinross, said: “I want us to talk about things that matter to them – perhaps that’s mental health or fairness.
“I know what it’s like to struggle and to have to find incredible strength.
“I hope that gives me common ground and empathy with the women I interview, because to be a woman at the top of sport, you have to go through a lot of knocks in your life.
“Body image is definitely something that will be spoken about.
“When I was in my early 20s, I suffered from anorexia, although for me, it was more about a feeling of being in control.
“It was a cry for help. I still don’t really get it. It almost had fatal consequences for me.
“But I managed to boot myself up the backside and get over it. Sexism is an important topic too. In my career, I would question whether I’d been paid the same as some of my male colleagues for doing exactly the same job. It’s about fairness and working hard for the same end-goal.
“Motherhood is an interesting topic in the world of sport. I know being a sports journalist and mother involves a lot of juggling.
“My girls have grown up seeing me report on football every weekend, working long hours, and sometimes being away for long periods to cover events.
“I’ve asked them whether they’d like me to be at home more or whether they’re glad their mummy works hard to make a living and they say they’re glad I’m doing something I love.”
Heather, who was born in Fife, said sport has always been a huge part of her life.
One of her favourite hobbies is water skiing. She said: “When I was growing up, my dad had to move about a lot for his work, I lived in India, Oman, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. “I always went to big sporting events with my dad and was always playing sport. “When I was eight years old, I came back to Scotland and went to a prep school that, at that time, was only for boys – Clifton Hall, just outside Edinburgh. “When I played sport, I had to play with boys, even wearing boys’ kits – because they didn’t have a girls’ kit. “I played at the same level as the boys – and was no different.” Heather has worked for companies including BBC Scotland, Beat 106 and Sky. She said: “When I was starting at Radio Berkshire, I was practically the only woman doing what I did. “But my colleagues were so encouraging. I did it because I loved it and that’s been the case ever since.”