Sirayah Shiraz is a creative, content creator and broadcaster specialising in multiple women's sports. Incredibly passionate and extremely driven, she has already worked with multiple major football clubs in the Premier League, Women’s Super League, and Ligue 1 and supported many more publications and media centres.
Great to talk to you Sirayah because I know all about your passion for this. Can you share some thoughts on your relationship with sport, as a young black woman?
My relationship with sport was always organic to me. I come from a footballing family. Watching my uncles and cousins play 5-a-side on the weekend splashing in puddles as a young child, and watching Brazil friendlies at the Emirates as a teenager.
I played as a defensive midfielder, and centre-back for a while, but didn’t see it as a realistic career path for me. I did not watch any women’s football growing up, I was always following Chelsea and at an international level, I supported France. I’m obsessed with their youth system.
As a black woman I searched for representation outside of football too - athletics since I’m Jamaican with Shelly-Anne Fraser. To Serena Williams. I still don’t feel seen in football.
Relatable role models are integral in young people’s development. It’s been proven when someone sees something being done, it inspires more confidence and hopes to achieve it.
This world is full of incredible athletes from all over, and a very common theme of their success is either being inspired by a relatable trailblazer or trying to become one because there aren’t any to be found for them.
For me in the media, seeing women like Kate Abdo thrive by being themselves has shown me the world is more than ready for more women of colour in sport on screen. Seeing young players like Lauren James interestingly put on an England shirt validates my Britishness.
In men’s football, Raheem Sterling consistently standing tall in the light of the hate he faces shows how not every action needs a loud response: being authentic to yourself and your journey is key. I know role models have changed the world, and by creating diverse environments and encouraging ALL into sports, we can only look forward to more amazing, different sets of role models to inspire the world.
I guess the increased representation also only contributes to making the future for women in sport even more exciting then?
The future of women's sport is incredible. It’s always an interesting thing to be a part of the growth of something.
Sport is a universal language fundamentally, and seeing new generations interact with sport differently, in a positive way, than I used to see, is an incredible feeling.
One thing we have to understand is every sport is different. There’s not a one-way rule to grow a sport, or to market a sport. As much as we have to put effort into women getting the access and facilities they deserve, it’s also fun to watch organically how people and many men, in particular, are growing to love, attend & support women in sport on their own accord.
I don’t like to put targets in place where women's sport ‘should’ hit. I just want women to be able to be respected, to feel safe, and supported to thrive in their sports. And we will get there.
I completely agree. And I think that leads us to discuss the future: what would you say to young women who want to get involved in sports?
To young girls getting interested in sport, you inspire me! The world is your playground.
Sport teaches you so much about life. Teamwork, leadership, accountability. Key, integral skills to be your best self in whatever you choose to do. Sport teaches you about yourself and through a confusing time it can be as a young person, it is a positive outlet. ENJOY IT!
You are the next generation, you are the future trailblazers and role models. Shape your future and learn from our failings. Overall, live life in the moment.
I’ll never forget the memories of waking up on a summer's day, hearing the birds chirping, my football bag packed, excited for the game ahead. Meeting up with friends and discussing tactics. It gave me purpose. Some of those exciting days I’ll never be able to replicate. I look forward to interviewing some of you superstars someday.
That’s a fantastic way to look at it. To finish off then, how would you change that approach when discussing young women in the media? What would you say to encourage them?
There’s so much that goes into sport off the pitch, racetrack, and court. Media is the one key that can spread the beauty of sport worldwide and connect the key community, the fans to that.
To the young girls wanting to have a career in sports media, we still have work to do. People before me and beside me are still working hard to pave the way so you can authentically come in and shine. Do not be discouraged, when you see a challenge, view it as an opportunity, this is a time when people want to hear stories from different diverse reporters and players want to speak to people who are relatable or who look like themselves!
There’s never been a more exciting period with social media at the forefront, which allows you to take ownership of your content and do it yourself. There can never be too many of us having complex societal discussions with an athlete, or simply debating who’s better, Messi or Ronaldo? Every single one of you can bring a unique tangible quality to make the media representative of the world. And I can’t wait to see the evolution of it happen. Good luck!
You can follow Sirayah on X, check out her content here and contact her team regarding media opportunities.
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