Rosa Simkin, the 2026 recipient of the MCC Female Young Broadcaster of the Year award, earned the competition's top prize by joining Sky Sports’ live broadcast team for the Hundred final at Lord’s on Sunday. During the innings break of both the women’s and men’s championship matches, Rosa conducted rapid‑fire interviews with key players – speaking to Georgia Adams of the Trent Rockets and Noor Ahmad of the Manchester Super Giants – just moments before each side secured its title. At only 18 years old, Rosa also contributed bite‑size highlight reels for Sky Sports Cricket’s digital platforms and produced content for Lord’s official Instagram account, offering fans a behind‑the‑scenes glimpse of her day as part of the production crew.
Before the tournament, Rosa visited Sky’s headquarters in Osterley, where she observed the inner workings of a cricket broadcast from the studio side of the camera. She learned how live cricket coverage is directed, experienced various facets of live‑sport production, toured the Sky Sports News studios, and met several senior staff members. One of the highlights was a one‑on‑one conversation with Jo Osborne, Sky’s head of women’s sport, who shared valuable advice on navigating a career in sports media. Rosa then attended a final prep session with the cricket production team to fine‑tune her role for the Hundred finale.
The MCC Young Female Broadcaster competition, now in its third year, is backed by Sky Sports and the women‑focused cricket charity Take Her Lead. Its purpose is to broaden opportunities for young women who aspire to work in sports broadcasting and to identify and nurture emerging female talent within cricket coverage. The competition attracted a record 50 entries this year – the highest number since its inception. A judging panel that included Sky Sports’ director of cricket and NFL, Bryan Henderson, MCC chief marketing officer Katie Maier, Take Her Lead founder and former England cricketer Isa Guha, as well as broadcasters Alison Mitchell and Georgie Heath, praised the overall quality of the showreels and selected Rosa as the winner.
Rosa is currently studying journalism at Cardiff University and hails from Warwickshire. Her love affair with cricket began at age nine when her sister Mae took her to Edgbaston to watch Warwickshire play. By sixteen, she had earned ECB media accreditation and launched her own platform, Rosa Talks Ball, while still in secondary school.
She later co‑hosted and produced the weekly "Two Tiers Deep" podcast with Northamptonshire cricketer Chloe Hill, a series that delves into every tier of the women’s game. Additionally, Rosa founded TIERED, the first monthly magazine dedicated exclusively to women’s county cricket. Reflecting on her experience at the Hundred final, Rosa said, "Getting the chance to broadcast live on the field with the Sky Sports team was a truly incredible experience and one I won't forget. This competition with MCC, Sky Sports and Take Her Lead is already opening doors for me, from filming with Take Her Lead behind the scenes at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge and visiting Sky HQ, to media interviews, podcasts, and of course my ultimate prize at Lord's with the Sky Sports team.
I can't wait to see where it takes me next in the broadcasting world!" Bryan Henderson, Sky Sports’ director of cricket and NFL, added, "Sky Sports was once again delighted to be involved in this brilliant initiative, and it was fantastic to see a record 50 entries this year showing just how important this competition is. The legacy over the three years has led to some very talented women establishing themselves in the sports broadcasting world.
Rosa is a real talent, and we were proud to have her as part of our on‑screen team for our coverage of The Hundred final." Isa Guha, founder of Take Her Lead, praised Rosa’s performance, stating, "Rosa has shown real talent, curiosity and professionalism throughout the programme, and we have no doubt she has an incredibly bright future ahead. We look forward to continuing to support her on her broadcasting journey." The MCC Young Female Broadcaster award not only celebrates Rosa’s individual achievements but also highlights the growing momentum behind gender diversity in sports media. By providing hands‑on experience at high‑profile events like the Hundred final, the programme equips young women with the practical skills, industry contacts, and confidence needed to thrive in a traditionally male‑dominated field. As more initiatives such as this gain traction, the broadcasting landscape is set to become more inclusive, ensuring that future generations of cricket fans hear a broader range of voices narrating the game they love.
For viewers interested in catching live cricket action, Sky Sports continues to broadcast the Hundred alongside a suite of other domestic and international fixtures. Fans can also explore the latest Hundred highlights, key moments, and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content on Sky’s digital platforms, as well as stream cricket without a contract through Sky’s flexible streaming options. Rosa’s journey—from a nine‑year‑old spectator at Edgbaston to a live on‑field broadcaster at Lord’s—exemplifies how dedication, early exposure, and supportive mentorship can accelerate a young talent’s career.
Her story serves as an inspiring blueprint for aspiring female broadcasters, demonstrating that with the right opportunities, passion for sport can translate into a rewarding profession behind the microphone and camera.