Sirayah Shiraz is a trailblazing Egyptian-Jamaican sports presenter and journalist whose influence stretches far beyond the screen. With versatility across both traditional and digital media, she brings out the authentic voices of players, managers, and communities, allowing them to shine. Whether exploring tactics, fashion, music, or pivotal cultural moments, Sirayah has an extraordinary gift for making complex and uncomfortable topics feel comfortable and relatable to all.
Her expertise spans a range of high-profile sports—Football, Formula 1, Tennis, and Basketball—enabling her to seamlessly navigate across any studio, live event, or global location with grace. Beyond her professional versatility, she has cultivated a loyal, highly engaged online following of sports fans who feel a profound connection to her journey and unique interview style. Sirayah’s talents extend beyond presenting and reporting—she is also an exceptional live host and producer, deeply passionate about the human stories and creative process behind every piece of content she creates.
Currently, Sirayah keeps the world informed daily on sports news and cultural shifts, from press conferences to award shows, and player 1:1’s, using her distinctive approach to take her audience on a journey. Her fresh perspective doesn’t just inform; it connects, elevates, and challenges the status quo.
At the heart of Sirayah’s mission is an unwavering dedication to diversity and inclusion. She is a fierce champion for on-screen representation, with a particular focus on amplifying the voices of women and Black + Arab communities. Through groundbreaking initiatives with organizations like NatWest and The Prince’s Trust, she has spearheaded programs that create tangible pathways for multicultural youth to succeed and flourish in the sports industry. Sirayah Shiraz’s efforts are not just making an impact—they are reshaping the landscape, opening doors, and inspiring a powerful movement toward a more inclusive, equitable future for ALL in sports media.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and your journey into sports presenting?
As a little girl, I loved sports, football, in particular (I was a very good 4’11 CB/DM and was captain) However, due to living with an autoimmune disease, I didn’t see a future for myself playing professionally. I never even had the thought that I could be a presenter. I had the personality for it, though – I attended a performing arts school, where I developed the most important human life connecting skills through acting, singing, and dancing. So, whilst I didn’t see myself as an outright athlete or presenter, I knew I had a natural ability to engage with people, and share stories, and I was very comfortable doing so.
After studying performing arts, I joined NatWest Bank as an apprentice, where I was exposed to the business world for the first time. I was shocked by the lack of diversity within the building compared to the London street just outside. I wanted to do something about it, so I worked with the bank to find creative ways to attract more diverse talent, with sports being one of the avenues we explored.
That led me to a pivotal moment. We were working on a programme with Marcus Rashford, and on the day of filming, a presenter did not get booked. Since I knew the programme and knew a lot about football, I was asked to step in and interview Marcus. It was one of those moments where everything clicked. I had no idea that this could be a job for me, but when I stood in front of the camera and spoke with him, I knew that this was what I was born to do. My heart and soul knew it, and then my brain realized that this was the path I wanted to and could take.
Just three months later, I made the bold decision to leave my role at NatWest and proactively pursue sports presenting full-time through networking. Since then, I’ve covered the biggest sports tournaments in the world, reported at award shows, interviewed some of the most successful athletes of all time, and done this as a 20-something freelancer, by myself. This journey has taught me that sometimes the path to your dream is unexpected, but if you follow your gut, get comfortable being uncomfortable, and embrace all the opportunities that come your way, anything is genuinely possible.
You’ve worked across various sports, from Football to F1, Tennis, and Basketball. How do you manage to adapt to such different environments and discussions?
Adapting to such different sports and environments is both a challenge and a joy, and it all comes down to being curious and deeply invested in learning. Each sport has its own rhythm, its own culture, and its own language, and I take the time to understand these nuances, not just from a technical perspective, but also from the fans’ point of view. I spend time with the experts, athletes, and even my friends who are fans to absorb as much as I can, while also remaining open-minded to the unique stories and personalities that each sport brings. The key is to be authentic in each space, respecting the history of each sport, while maintaining a strong sense of who I am as a presenter. Ultimately, it’s about embracing the challenge and being driven by a genuine love of storytelling, no matter the sport.
Diversity and inclusion are close to your heart. How do you incorporate these values into your work?
It’s a continuous journey of learning and listening because true inclusion means not only opening doors but ensuring they stay open for others to walk through. I firstly try to keep people different from me around me. In my circle, they keep me on my toes, challenge me, and provide me with a diversity of thought. Secondly, it’s proactiveness, I search for different stories, I watch leagues outside the top 5, when I interview a player I do a cultural deep dive, it is a conscious effort on my behalf. My hope is that through my work, young people who are underrepresented feel seen and KNOW their voice is valued and NEEDED in the media landscape, and it subconsciously removes barriers they may feel mentally. Lastly, business-wise, I hope I can continue to show broadcasters the profitable value of diversity and use their platforms to elevate voices that reflect the full colours of our world.
Can you share more about your initiatives with NatWest and the Prince’s Trust and how they have impacted the community?
At NatWest, I developed a programme with London Football Club Foundations, using sport to connect young people, teach life skills, and prepare them for professional careers. We then guided them through a traditional interview process & offered the top 20 full-time roles, a paid degree, and a £30k salary. The first cycle just ended, and it’s been incredible to see these young people not only succeed in their careers but break down barriers and achieve things they once thought impossible. They now are leaders in tech or sports passing on the opportunities that were given to them, to others, and that is the true win. An ecosystem of opportunity and growth.
My work with The Prince’s Trust has been through their Elevator Pitch sessions. I’ve had the privilege of mentoring the most talented young people, helping them refine their ideas, build confidence, and develop entrepreneurial skills to pursue whatever career they dream of. Many have gone on to start their own businesses or secure jobs that offer stability which they wouldn’t have otherwise.
The impact of these initiatives has been life-changing for these individuals. It just shows if things like this can be created by a once 20-year-old with a simple idea, no one has any excuses. We can change the world collectively.
What are your future goals and aspirations for your career in sports media?
My vision for the future of my career is to carve out a space that is truly one of a kind. Where athletes feel heard, and valued. I want to become the trusted voice that they turn to when they have something meaningful to share, whether it’s a defining moment in their career, a personal story, or a message they believe the world needs to hear, knowing I’ll amplify their voices with the integrity, respect, and understanding they deserve.
I aspire to be known on a global scale for delivering in-depth tactical analysis with an accessible, human touch, as well as, spotlighting the individuals, the cultures, and the passions that drive the athletes. I’m committed to uplifting the true stories of Black players and athletes from the MENA regions—voices that are often overlooked or undervalued. Their journeys, struggles, and triumphs must be heard, and I will use my platform to amplify those narratives with pride and authenticity. My aspirations also go beyond the game itself. I want to be recognized for the way I connect sports with fashion, music, and culture blurring the lines between these worlds to create a space where athletes’ off-field identities are celebrated just as much as their on-field accomplishments.
I aim to set trends, not just in fashion, but in how we experience and discuss sports, culture, and style. I want to create a platform where fans and athletes can fully embrace and express who they are in all their complexity. Throughout it all, I want my personality to shine through, relatable, approachable, and filled with humor…because real connections are built on authenticity and shared experiences. Overall, my mission is to redefine the role of a sports presenter. I want to leave a legacy that challenges the status quo, breaks down barriers, and celebrates diversity in a way that resonates with fans and athletes globally. I aim to create a world where every sports lover can see themselves reflected in the stories we tell and that this is the NORM.
How do you see the future of sports presenting evolving, especially concerning diversity and inclusion? The change of sports media is not something distant—it’s already unfolding in front of us. The only real barrier to greater diversity and inclusion is opportunity. We have an abundance of talented, diverse presenters and journalists who are already doing the work to an elite standard. They don’t need to and shouldn’t have to wait for a future shift; they just need the door to be opened. Diversity is thriving on the pitch and the court, so it’s only natural that it should be reflected off it as well.
With the power of social media and technology, there are no longer any excuses for not amplifying voices. The audience is ready. What’s missing is simply the willingness to make space for a wider variety of perspectives on our screens. I hope the future means larger broadcasters and platforms utilize this talent front and centre, instead of us having to do it by ourselves with no backing or support.
What’s the theme of your year (2025) in three words?
Growth. Connection. Legacy.
What message would you like to share with young women who are pursuing their dreams, both within and outside the sports industry?
Believe in your power, and never let anyone limit your vision. There will always be obstacles, but each challenge is an opportunity to grow, & prove to YOURSELF that you are capable of achieving greatness. Trust in your unique perspective, because the world needs your voice. Whether you’re breaking barriers in sports, business, or beyond, remember that the path is not always linear—but it is yours to forge. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, seek mentors who inspire you, and never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Keep dreaming big, if they don’t scare you, they’re not big enough! You have the ability to create change, to lead, and to inspire the next generation of women to do the same. A quote I always live by is “I stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me thinking what can I do to make this mountain taller, so the women after me can see farther.”
