Women in Sport: Sports broadcaster and golfer-in-training Valerie Wheeler

Valerie is a radio presenter on Fully Charged Breakfast Show on SPIN South West, and a Sports Broadcaster with RTÉ. In the three years that she has been there, she has covered the Olympics, Paralympics, European Championships, FIFA World Cup 2022, and much more, keeping GAA with the Sunday Game as her main focus.

Back in 2020, Valerie won a Gold IMRO Radio award for her Sports Show with SPIN, and is now picking up a golf club and taking on the challenge of The First Tee, Journey to Dromoland. This Golf Ireland campaign will follow Valerie, Lorraine Keane, and Pamela Joyce as they journey from relative beginners to confident golfers.

Name: Valerie Wheeler.

Profession: Radio Presenter on SPIN South West and Sports Broadcaster with RTÉ.

Earliest sporting memory?

Earliest sporting memory is being brought to Limerick hurling matches as a young girl with my dad Ken.

How did you become involved in your sport?

I was always mad about sport but I was never any good at playing. But my dad and mam made sure to encourage me, and to have me still involved as a fan from the stands.

What message would you like to share with young women and girls interested in starting a new sport?

Go for it! Life is too short. I took up Golf this year with Golf Ireland as someone who did not have a lot of confidence in my own playing ability but I must say I am absolutely loving the challenge. It helps that my partner Gavin is a PGA Professional and can give me the lessons I need.

Proudest moment so far…

I have two! Having my own breakfast show with my co host Ed, and being pitch-side for RTÉ, getting the raw emotions of players after a big game!

The female athlete I admire most is…

Katie Taylor, because she’s an amazing role model and has worked so hard to get where she is today.

Favourite sporting memory…

In 2018 Limerick won their first All Ireland Hurling Final in 45 years. My dad is a proud Limerick man so to be able to see the joy that brought to him and many others was amazing. Also, I was covering the final that day and they brought a few sports journalists into the dressing room to see the team celebrate after the win and it was just an amazing moment to be able to share with them.

Do you think there is still a stigma around women in sport?

Not as much any more. The world has changed and the support for women in sport has changed a lot for the better.

What is the biggest barrier to driving visibility in women’s sports?

Things like fixture clashes that don’t allow our female dual players to make both commitments in which they would like to. With fixture clashes people have to decide on the one game and go to it and miss out on the other.

The biggest stigma/misconception that exists in women’s sport is…

That we are not as good as men!

My daily routine is…

Up at 5.15am, go to work, head to the gym, and lately the driving range to practise, because I need it!

Sports brands I love (Irish or otherwise)…

Nike, Adidas, Gym+Coffee.

How do you mind your mental health?

The gym is my therapy.

My three desert island beauty products are:

Mascara, lipstick, and blush.

I need 5 hours of sleep a night because….

I actually run off very little sleep which is not great! I probably need more.

Confidence, to me, is…

Being organised and prepared.

Lastly, why is sport such an integral part of community, on a club, local, national and personal level?

It gives you such a purpose and good feeling to be involved with something so special. It brings a special bond to the fans and community.

Watch episode one of ‘The First Tee, Journey to Dromoland’, below…