With 10 years in the football presenting industry under her belt, there are very few things that Rebecca Lowe has not experienced within the media side of the game.
Having started her career with the BBC, Lowe now works with ESPN as one of its main anchors for Saturday night football and is currently serving as a judge in a search for a new sports reporter with the FA Women's Super League.
We caught up with the presenter to talk her career, sexism in football and the trials and tribulations of Crystal Palace.
What tempted you to get involved with the 'Search for a Star' campaign?
"It really struck a chord with me because I actually got my break in television in a very similar way. Ten years ago the BBC were running a campaign called 'BBC Talent' which was for adults and not for children. They were looking for everything from a new weather presenter to a football reporter. I had just graduated from university and I thought 'I'll give that a go'. I wanted to be an actress but I loved football.
"I kept getting through the rounds, then into the final and I actually won it, which was a bit of shock! It was a six-month contract on Match of the Day and Football Focus. Obviously I couldn't turn that down and the rest is history. When ESPN told me about this campaign, it really made me remember all them years ago what happened to me. I really felt that after ten years, I've got a good amount of experience to help these 12 to 16-year-olds. This is a great way for them to start and I feel like I can pass on a little bit of wisdom."
What advice would you give to any of the young hopefuls that are considering applying?
"Number one is to have a sound knowledge of your chosen subject. Obviously with this it is the Women's Super League. If you're a television presenter you've got to have prepared massively for anything that you are doing. That includes a lot of background information and research because television doesn't always go right. If you have to fill time, you can only do that if you have information at your fingertips.
"You've also got to have an on-air presence and you've got to have confidence. There is no [broadcaster] in the world where a television presenter will be taken on if they are shy and retiring. You don't have to be arrogant and over the top, it just means that you have to be confident and calm basically. I'd also say try and be yourself as much as you can, which is not always easy on television."
One of the issues in recent months surrounding football has been sexism. Having established yourself as female presenter in a male-dominated industry, have you ever encountered any?
"Oh yeah, I have definitely experienced it. It's something that we are a long, long way from changing, which makes me really sad because I wish I could just click my fingers and it all be equal. It's not just in football either. It seems to be in every single walk of life. Why have we got so many male chief executives? Where are all the women? It's highlighted in football because football is very high profile.
"It's not great and it is hard to deal with at times. I've had it in terms of chanting at ground. You'll find when people are being sexist, they will very rarely say it to your face. There have been moments down the years where I have felt that I have been treated differently to the way that they treat other people. I can see it with my own eyes and in body language, but there is no evidence. Some of the abuse from fans down the years has been shocking. I can take banter but there is a line and so often it has been crossed on many occasions.
"At one club that used to be non-league but are now in the Football League, fans ran down the stands and screamed abuse at me and I'd never met these people in my life! I was just doing my job. That was really nasty and tough to take, especially when you are live on air and you can hear what they are saying. Other forms of abuse at a football ground are illegal and I'd like to know why sexism isn't."
With that in mind, do you feel that some people tune in to watch you work in the hope or expectation that you will make a mistake?
"I think that if a woman who works in football makes a mistake, some people are very quick to say 'she's a woman, she probably doesn't know what she is talking about' or something like that. That's just the way it is and I've been aware of that since day one and that's why I prepare because I'm aware that there is a lot of people waiting to criticse out there. I've just got to accept that because if I don't, I might as well not do the job. That's why I do as much work as I can possibly do to ensure that I don't make a mistake, for myself as much as anybody else and the viewers. I've made mistakes and my instant thought is 'Oh crikey someone is going to jump on that' but that's just the job."
What has been the proudest moment of your career to date? I imagine hosting this year's FA Cup final was right up there.
"If someone said to me when I was at the BBC that at 31 I was going to host the FA Cup final and a three-hour live build-up from the side of the pitch at Wembley I would have just laughed in their face! I didn't eat for three days before that! I genuinally didn't eat a proper meal from the Wednesday until the Saturday night where I ate for about three families! It was really, really scary, but it went well so I was pleased. I went back to my family that night and I was a little bit shocked that I had managed to do that. That was a really proud moment for me. Also I went over to America for ESPN to anchor Euro 2012 in front of millions of people. ESPN is ingrained in their culture so to be one of two anchors was a really big thing for me."
Another big moment of last season was Fabrice Muamba's cardiac arrest. You were working that day and received a lot of praise, along with ESPN, for the way you dealt with the situation. How hard was it? I can imagine it's not something you prepare for.
"I woke up that morning thinking that I was just going to be presenting an FA Cup quarter-final, which a big enough challenge in itself to be honest. It's hard to explain because you just kick into autopilot. I just kind of run with it and I tried my hardest not to speculate. That was the biggest thing because at the time we didn't have any news at all. People were tuning into us because we were the only channel that was broadcasting live. I had to ensure that what I was saying didn't mislead anybody at any stage. His family were watching back in Bolton so you have to be extra sensitive. I just kept going really and luckily for me I had ultra-professional people around me like Keegan, Barnes, Waddle and Champion. Between us we pulled together as a team. The best thing of all is what has happened since because he has recovered. It was one of those once-in-a-career moments."
What ambitions do you have for the future? Is there anything you'd like to cover that you haven't had the chance to do yet?
"I'd love to cover the Champions League, but I'm really lucky that I've ticked a lot of boxes already with the World Cup, European Championship and FA Cup. If I'm honest, I'd like to branch out a little bit and present some shows outside of football. I love cooking, travel and home programmes. Maybe one day I'd like to have a go at something like that. But I love football. I had four weeks without it over the summer and I missed it so I'm glad it's all back. Life has returned to normal again!"
Talking of the new season, you are a Crystal Palace fan aren't you? It's been a tough start for the Eagles. What have you made of it so far?
"Do we have to talk about this? It's been a terrible start but we've lost some really good players. We've replaced them, without any disrespect, with nowhere near the quality. I don't know what anyone expects but we are not going to hit any heights this season. We've really struggled since the semi-final of the Carling Cup last season and haven't won many games since. I really hope they don't sack Dougie Freedman though. It's partly because he's a Palace legend and he understands and loves the club. He saved us from relegation to the third tier a few years ago by scoring a goal, which made me love him even more! It is only a few games and football changes so quickly."
ESPN football TV presenter Rebecca Lowe is a judge on the broadcaster's and FA Women's Super League search for a new sports TV reporter. The winner will present their own TV report for ESPN. For more information on how to enter the competition, visit FAWSL.com.
Liam Apicella
