Pien Meulensteen (born January 1997) is a Dutch-born British-based sports broadcaster. Her presenting and commentary work has included the FIFA World Cup, the Premier League, the FIFA Women's World Cup, and the Women's Super League. She has worked for broadcasters such as the BBC in Britain, Ziggo Sport in the Netherlands, and CBS in the United States. In 2023, she became the first female to commentate on a live Premier League match in Britain for Sky Sports.
Pien Meulensteen | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Salford |
| Occupation | Broadcaster |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Employer | Sky Sports |
| Known for | Sports presenting and commentating |
| Relatives | René Meulensteen (father) Melle Meulensteen (brother) |
Early life
editMeulensteen was born in the Netherlands and moved to the UK in 2001 having also spent time in Qatar. Fluent in both English and Dutch, she began her broadcasting career at BBC Manchester whilst studying Broadcast Journalism at the University of Salford.[1] She graduated in 2019.[2]
Career
editMeulensteen reported from the 2021 FA Cup Final for Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport. She became a regular presenter and commentator for MUTV.[1] She has also worked for DAZN, Premier League TV and BBC Radio 5 Live.[3]
She was the first journalist to interview Dutch coach Erik ten Hag in England when he took over as the new coach of Premier League side Manchester United and has provided football commentary for BBC One flagship highlights programme Match of the Day, as well as for American broadcaster CBS Sports.[4] She commentated on matches for the BBC at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[5][6]
In 2023, she became the first female to commentate on a live Premier League match for Sky Sports.[7] In July 2023, she joined the Sky Sports commentary team for the Women's Super League.[8] She commented for ITV Sport at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[9]
Awards
editShe won the One to Watch - On Air category at the British Sports Journalism Awards in London, in February 2023.[10]
Personal life
editShe is the daughter of Marieke and René Meulensteen. She has two brothers, Joppe and Melle.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Pien Meulensteen - Biography and Images". TV Newsroom. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Blum, Ronald (17 November 2022). "Meet the Groundbreaking Female Play-by-Play Commentators at the World Cup". Now This Is News. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "BROADCAST JOURNALISM GRADUATE MAKES HER COMMENTARY DEBUT FOR MATCH OF THE DAY". Salford.ac.uk. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Vlietstra, Bart (8 August 2022). "BBC football commentator Pien Meulensteen (25!) hears again and again: 'Does she know what she's talking about?'". Volksrant.nl. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Mackenzie, Alasdair (22 November 2022). "Who are the BBC commentators for Mexico v Poland at the World Cup 2022". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ White, Mark (24 November 2022). "Who are the BBC commentators for Uruguay vs South Korea at World Cup 2022?". Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Nelson, Joe (15 March 2023). "Meulensteen: Female voices are important in football". Manutd.com. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Pien Meulensteen and Izzy Christiansen join Sky Sports WSL team for 2023/24 season". Skysports.com. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Dabbs, Ryan (4 July 2023). "Women's World Cup 2023: Who are the ITV presenters, pundits and commentators?". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Palmer picks up SJA Young Photographer Award as Khan, Meulensteen and Paterson are named 'Ones to Watch' winners". sportsjournalists.co.uk. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Pichel, Dominique (19 August 2023). "Father was Sir Alex's assistant at United, daughter is a commentator for Sky Sports: 'I told her to be careful'". Gerlander.nl. Retrieved 1 November 2023.