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 climax of The Hundred at Lord's on Sunday. During the innings break of both the women's and men’s finals, the 18‑year‑old conducted rapid‑fire interviews with Trent Rockets captain Georgia Adams and Manchester Super Giants star Noor Ahmad, moments that were captured as each side lifted its respective trophy. In addition to the on‑field duties, Rosa 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 with the production crew. The experience was complemented by a prior visit to Sky’s Osterley headquarters, where she observed the inner workings of cricket broadcasting from the studio floor.
There, she learned how live matches are directed, explored various facets of live‑sport production, toured the Sky Sports News studios, and received a comprehensive overview of the technical and editorial processes that bring cricket to television screens. Rosa also sat down with Jo Osborne, Sky’s head of women’s sport, for an insightful discussion about navigating a career in the industry.
The meeting was followed by a final prep session with Sky’s cricket production team, ensuring she was ready for the high‑pressure environment of a live final. The MCC Young Female Broadcaster competition, now in its third edition and backed by Sky Sports and the cricket charity Take Her Lead, seeks to widen pathways for young women who aspire to careers in sports media.
By spotlighting emerging talent, the initiative aims to nurture the next generation of female voices in cricket broadcasting. The Hundred final was streamed on Sky Sports, accompanied by a suite of related videos and key moments, while Sky also promoted its broader cricket portfolio and subscription‑free streaming options. This year’s contest attracted a record 50 entries, the highest tally to date.
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; and veteran broadcasters Alison Mitchell and Georgie Heath, praised the calibre of the showreels and ultimately selected Rosa as the winner. Rosa, a journalism student at Cardiff University originally from Warwickshire, fell in love with cricket at the age of nine after her sister Mae took her to watch Warwickshire play at Edgbaston.
She earned ECB media accreditation at 16 and launched her own platform, Rosa Talks Ball, while still in school. Since then she has co‑hosted and produced the weekly "Two Tiers Deep" podcast with Northamptonshire player Chloe Hill, a series that delves into every tier of the women’s game, and she founded TIERED, the first monthly magazine dedicated solely to women’s county cricket.
Reflecting on her day at Lord’s, 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, commented, "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."