Rosa Simkin, crowned MCC Female Young Broadcaster of the Year for 2026, earned the ultimate accolade when she joined Sky Sports’ live broadcast team for The Hundred final at Lord’s on Sunday. The 18‑year‑old’s on‑field presence turned the climax of the tournament into a showcase of her budding talent. During the innings break of both the women’s and men’s finals, Rosa conducted rapid‑fire interviews with key players – Georgia Adams of the Trent Rockets and Noor Ahmad of the Manchester Super Giants – as each side celebrated their hard‑won titles.
Her poise and insight captured the excitement of the moment, providing viewers with a fresh, youthful perspective on the sport’s biggest stage. Beyond the live interview slots, Rosa contributed bite‑size highlight reels for Sky Sports Cricket’s digital platforms and produced content for Lord’s official Instagram account. These short videos offered fans a behind‑the‑scenes look at her day, from pre‑match preparations to the buzz of the stadium, further cementing her role as a versatile multimedia journalist.
Prior to the final, Rosa visited Sky’s headquarters in Osterley, where she was given an insider’s tour of the broadcast production workflow. She observed how cricket coverage is orchestrated from the studio, experienced the fast‑paced environment of live sport production, and explored the Sky Sports News studios. The visit also included a valuable mentorship session with Jo Osborne, Sky’s head of women’s sport, who shared advice on navigating a career in sports media. Rosa wrapped up her preparation with a final briefing from the cricket production team, ensuring she was ready for the live broadcast.
The MCC Young Female Broadcaster competition, now in its third edition and backed by Sky Sports and the cricket charity Take Her Lead, aims to widen the pathway for young women who aspire to careers in sports broadcasting. By identifying and nurturing emerging talent, the programme seeks to increase female representation in cricket media and to spotlight the next generation of broadcasters. The competition attracted a record 50 entries this year, the highest tally to date.
A judging panel comprising Sky Sports’ director of cricket & NFL Bryan Henderson, MCC chief marketing officer Katie Maier, Take Her Lead founder and former England cricketer Isa Guha, as well as established broadcasters Alison Mitchell and Georgie Heath, reviewed the showreels and selected Rosa as the winner. Rosa is a journalism student 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 a Warwickshire match.
By 16, she had earned ECB media accreditation and launched her own platform, Rosa Talks Ball, while still in school. She later co‑hosted and produced the weekly podcast Two Tiers Deep with Northamptonshire player Chloe Hill, delving into every tier of the women’s game, and founded TIERED, the first monthly magazine dedicated to women’s county cricket.
Reflecting on her experience at The Hundred final, Rosa said, "Broadcasting live from the field with the Sky Sports team was an incredible experience I’ll never forget. This competition, in partnership with the MCC and Take Her Lead, has already opened doors for me – from filming behind the scenes at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge with Take Her Lead, to visiting Sky HQ, conducting media interviews, hosting podcasts, and ultimately sharing the stage at Lord’s with the Sky Sports crew. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next in the broadcasting world!" Bryan Henderson, Sky Sports’ director of cricket & NFL, added, "We are delighted to support this fantastic initiative once again. The record 50 entries this year highlight how vital this competition has become.
Over the past three years, we’ve seen talented women establish themselves in sports broadcasting, and Rosa is a shining example of that success. We were proud to have her as part of our on‑screen team for The Hundred final." Isa Guha, founder of Take Her Lead, praised Rosa’s performance, stating, "Rosa has demonstrated real talent, curiosity, and professionalism throughout the programme. We have no doubt she has an incredibly bright future ahead, and we look forward to continuing to support her broadcasting journey." The Hundred final broadcast on Sky Sports featured live cricket action, post‑match analysis, and a suite of digital content, including highlight reels and behind‑the‑scenes footage. Fans could also explore the latest Sky Sports deals and stream cricket without a contract, broadening access to the sport.
Rosa’s achievement underscores the growing opportunities for young women in cricket media and highlights the impact of initiatives like the MCC Young Female Broadcaster competition. As the sport continues to evolve, programmes that champion diversity and inclusion will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of voices that bring cricket to audiences worldwide.