Media career takes off alongside new sport of Wrestling. 11 February 2011

In the lead up to Saturday’s Wales v Scotland match, former Welsh international rugby player, Non Evans is embarking upon a career away from the pitch in what is the first Six Nations campaign that she has not competed in since 1995.

At last weekend’s England v Wales opening Six Nations match, Non was the first professional to be chosen to provide a second Welsh voice for BBC Wales red button commentary. Appearing subsequently on BBC’s Scrum V, Non is now also a featured online columnist for BBC Wales as well as a pundit for BBC Sport Wales.

She said: “Normally before a game I would be mentally preparing for the match. It’s a strange feeling not to be competing but I’m enjoying being involved in the media side of rugby. It’s great to be asked to contribute and to provide commentary, particularly as a female in a male dominated sport.”

Following retirement from international rugby, Non has continued to pursue wrestling at a competitive level, represented by Definitive Sports Management. She is the 2010 Olympics freestyle wrestling Welsh Champion, the Welsh Open and Irish Open Champion and was a silver medallist at the British Championships.

Non will compete in this weekend’s British championships in Manchester and is hoping to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.

“Wrestling is very different from being on the rugby field although it is still physically demanding and training intensive. In rugby you are not always able to influence the outcome of the game, but in wrestling you are on your own and in control of your own success. I competed in judo from a young age and there are a number of similarities between the sports. It’s tough on the body and requires a lot of training in the lead up to competitions, which I now have to fit in alongside my full time work and media opportunities with rugby. It’s a particularly busy time for me but I am enjoying every minute of it.”

Non is also full time clinical network representative for one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world, Pfizer. Based in South Wales, the role requires her to balance an intensive work schedule with a rigorous training regime.

Non will also be competing in the touch rugby World Cup in Scotland in June, where she will represent Wales.