Matthew Joule - Press & Communications Officer at the DP World Tour & Ryder Cup
“I love being among and embedded in an elite sporting environment. I think working alongside professional athletes brings out the best in anyone around them”
After graduating University, Matthew took up a supply teaching job before stepping into his first sporting role with Mansfield Town Football Club in 2015. Today, he spends his time traveling the world leading media operations as Press & Communications Officer at the DP World Tour.
Introduce yourself!
My name is Matthew Joule, Press & Communications Officer at the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour). I’ve worked with the Tour for five years now, helping lead the media operation on site at our events across the world. I live in Solihull but originally from Mansfield, just north of Nottingham. I’m a fan of most sports but with a particular interest in golf (obviously) and football. I used to say ‘for my sins’ I’m a Nottingham Forest fan, but that caveat is no longer needed since the appointment of the great Steve Cooper!
Tell us a little bit about the DP World Tour and what your role is there.
The DP World Tour is the main men’s professional golf Tour of the European Tour group, with a global schedule featuring a minimum of 39 tournaments in 26 different countries across the 2023 season.
Formerly known as the European Tour, which was established in 1972, the 2023 DP World Tour schedule includes five Rolex Series events, along with four Major Championships, one World Golf Championship event, as well as tournaments staged around the world with a minimum prize of $2million for all events solely sanctioned by the DP World Tour.
My role involves working within the press office function but mainly running the media operation at our events across the world. This includes organising and hosting press conferences, liaising with players, managers and media and writing press releases/end of day reports. There’s a lot that goes into it!
Matthew alongside 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Victor Perez
Did you take on any higher education courses (university etc?) and if so, how does that relate to what you do now?
I have a BA in Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University. It was a good degree and taught me the fundamentals of journalism and communications, but the main bulk of my learning was in the industry.
What does your career history look like and how did you get into working in sport?
I did various jobs at University but after graduating, I immediately did work experience with Mansfield Town Football Club (for five weeks) but then actually went into supply teaching. I soon realised that was not for me but saw out the school year and then luckily received a phone call from Mansfield to say there was an opening. I did a few weeks unpaid while the interview process for the role took place and I was offered it in September 2015. I loved my time there and really learned by trade by doing a plethora of tasks; match reports, interviews, graphic design, commentary, camera work, the list goes on. However, I felt there was a ceiling and started to look for jobs in late 2017. I came close to a couple of Premier League roles before seeing my current position advertised…
“working alongside professional athletes brings out the best in anyone around them”
What do you enjoy most about working in the sport industry?
I love being among and embedded in an elite sporting environment. I think working alongside professional athletes brings out the best in anyone around them. Their dedication and perfectionist nature is infectious and makes you want to strive to improve. Secondly, the places you visit and people you meet make it like no other industry on earth. I am lucky enough to know people in tens of countries around the world – the bonds you make on Tour are incredibly special.
Name one thing that excites you about the future of sport that you have learned from your role?
The ever-changing nature of it. Genuinely, you never know what is going to happen from one day to the next which keeps you constantly interested.
Share your favourite experience that has come as a result of your work in sport.
I could write pages upon pages here. I’ve been incredibly lucky to attend Ryder Cups, meet some of the world’s best golfers, host press conferences with people’s idols, meet fascinating sportspeople, businessmen and academics. The one that stands out for me is last year (2022) at the JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor, Co. Limerick. JP is one of Ireland’s richest men and one of the country’s biggest philanthropists. He hosts his Pro-Am event every few years to raise money for charity and the strength of field is mind-boggling. All the world’s best players come along to support JP – Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele to name a few, plus celebrity icons like Niall Horan, Bill Murray and Peter Jones. However the one person who, since starting the job, I’ve ever been starstruck by is the one and only Tiger Woods. Having an AAA pass, I was able to get inside the ropes and I stood on the tenth tee when he teed off. I’ll never forget that moment.
“Working in sport is about work ethic and fitting in with the culture. If you can do that, the world is your oyster”
If someone reading this is wondering how they take their first steps towards a career in sports, what would be your advice?
Don’t be too proud. I wouldn’t be where I am today without working for free to get experience. I am not saying don’t aim for paid roles, but showing your work ethic and learning your craft is invaluable, so if you can manage to do work experience or undertake placements for a company you think will benefit you, absolutely go for it.
How could someone try to elevate their chances of securing a job in sport?
As above really, volunteer where you can. I never said no. Ever. At Mansfield, I would often work 9am – 10,11pm at night when we were on deadline. I never said I had to leave early or didn’t want to. I didn’t like doing it, but I wouldn’t be where I am today or the person I am today without doing it. Now, I’m reaping the rewards of that.
What is one piece of advice you would give to anyone with ambitions of a career in sport?
Aim for the stars. You can honestly do whatever you want to do if you put your mind to it. Working in sport is about work ethic and fitting in with the culture. If you can do that, the world is your oyster.
Want to connect with Matthew or learn more about the DP World Tour?
You can connect with Matthew via LinkedIn, and learn more about the DP World Tour via their website and LinkedIn page