Borderer has been honoured for her reporting and charity work
Sports broadcaster and motor neuron disease (MND) charity leader Jill Douglas has returned to her roots to collect an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).
Best known for her on-screen coverage of rugby, cycling, snooker and athletics, Jill began her career by studying newspaper journalism at ENU while working in the Scottish Borders at her local paper, The Southern Reporter.
She would go on to become a well-recognised face in broadcast sport, covering the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cups and British & Irish Lions tours for the likes of the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports.
In a journalism career full of highlights, she was the first female to present the BBC’s Rugby Special programme, reported from cycling gold medal wins at the 2012 London Olympics, and interviewed South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi on the pitch following their win in Yokohama in 2019.
As a close friend of the late rugby player Doddie Weir, Jill has been involved with My Name’5 Doddie Foundation since its inception, serving as CEO until the spring of this year. She remains a patron at the charity, which was set up in 2017 following Doddie’s diagnosis with MND and has since raised more than £20m to back research and support.
Jill now lives with her husband Carl and their two children in Cheltenham and is President of Cheltenham Tigers RFC.
Reacting to her graduation, which took place at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today [Thursday 31 October], Jill said: “I began my life in journalism and broadcasting at Edinburgh Napier. It is where I laid the foundations for my career, and I still rely on the many skills and lessons I learned on campus at Craiglockhart and Merchiston.
“It is a great honour to be recognised by the University with an Honorary Doctorate. It is very special to share graduation day with so many students who are embarking on their own careers.
“Journalism and broadcasting have allowed me to travel the world and experience some amazing events and I hope those graduating in 2024 have as many opportunities and great times as I have enjoyed over the years. I’d like to thank my old lecturers for their patience and the current team for this honour.”
Presenting her with her honorary doctorate, Dr Tony Westbury from ENU’s School of Applied Sciences said: “It has always been the qualities of knowledge, understanding and preparation that established Jill as an authoritative and skilled broadcaster.
“There is no doubt that her professionalism, knowledge and authentic love of sport has contributed to the enjoyment of many and inspired the next generation of journalists, both male and female.”
Edinburgh Napier University’s autumn graduation ceremonies conclude at the Usher Hall on 31 October.
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