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<\/a>\nBeyond this, previous winners have also enjoyed visits to Sky Sports\u2019 studios and headquarters, additional fixtures and appearances as part of The Hundred, numerous broadcasting and content opportunities with Take Her Lead, including mentoring with key female broadcasters like Alison Mitchell, Mel Jones and Isa Guha, as well as a series of special invitations connecting them with former cohort members and the wider women\u2019s cricket community.<\/p>\n
Open to females aged 18 \u2013 24 with aspirations in sports broadcasting, the competition welcomes applicants at all stages of their journey, whether taking their first steps in the industry or already building experience in sports media.<\/p>\n
The 2026 competition launched on Saturday 16 May 2026 on Sky Sports, with 2025 winner Helen Trappelides and 2024 winner Jessica Crowe appearing at England Women\u2019s ODI against New Zealand in Cardiff.<\/p>\n
MCC, Sky Sports and Take Her Lead remain united in their commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls in cricket. At its core, the competition is designed to create meaningful opportunities in sports broadcasting and amplify the next generation of female voices in the game.<\/p>\n
Take Her Lead, a leading cricket charity founded by broadcaster and former England cricketer Isa Guha, aims to drive equity and inclusion across the game, providing opportunities, mentoring and increasing participation for women and girls both on and off the field.<\/p>\n
Significant progress has been made in recent years. In 2025, Sky Sports once again led the way, delivering 69% of all women’s sport broadcast coverage hours, continuing to drive visibility. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This competition also complements MCC’s wider work in W&G\u2019s cricket that ranges from new permanent visual markers at Lord\u2019s, to increases of over 50% of female participation in the MCC Foundation\u2019s Hub programme. The ground has a record number of women\u2019s fixtures in 2026 with 21 days of play at Lord\u2019s, and with eight weeks to go, ticket sales for the Women\u2019s Test have already surpassed the highest attendance record (23,207) for a women\u2019s Test in England.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The NCTJ has seen growth too with women now making up 25% of students enrolled on accredited sports journalism courses, up from 6% in 2021\/22, 14% in 2022\/23, and 20% in 2023\/24, and meeting its target for female representation for the 2025\/26 period.<\/p>\n
But there is still more to do. The NCTJ’s next ambition is equal representation in sports journalism training and across industry newsrooms, recognising that a more diverse and inclusive environment is essential to the future of the industry. This competition aims to support that mission.<\/p>\n
\nKatie Maier, Chief Marketing Officer at MCC, said: \u201cThis summer, Lord\u2019s writes a new chapter in the history of women\u2019s cricket, and we want the next generation of female broadcasters to be part of telling that story.<\/p>\n
Our winner and runners-up will be invited to experience the historic Test match from the iconic Barclays Media Centre, where they will gain invaluable experience to support their career ambitions in sports broadcasting. This is a pivotal moment for the women and girls\u2019 game, with more opportunities than ever before to get involved.<\/p>\n
MCC Young Female Broadcaster is about ensuring that as the game grows, the voices telling its stories grow too. We are proud to champion the next generation of broadcasting talent and look forward to seeing who steps forward this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBryan Henderson, Director of Sky Cricket, commented: \u201cWe are proud to again partner with MCC and Take Her Lead on a competition that is making a genuine difference. The standard of talent we have seen across the first two cohorts gives us huge confidence in the future of women\u2019s sports broadcasting.<\/p>\n
We look forward to welcoming our 2026\u00a0winner\u00a0to be part of our broadcast team at The Hundred Final at Lord\u2019s\u00a0later this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIsa Guha, Founder of Take Her Lead, added: \u201cWe are proud to play a role in a competition that creates meaningful opportunities for female broadcasters in sports media – a field where female voices have historically been underrepresented. Seeing is believing, and the presence of more female broadcasters being seen and heard within sport, not only inspires the next generation, but also helps foster an environment where they truly feel they belong. We look forward to continuing our support of this year\u2019s winning cohort through mentoring and valuable media opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n2025 MCC Young Female Broadcaster of the Year, Helen Trappelides, said: “Winning this competition last year changed everything for me. A year ago, I was just a student who loved cricket, and now I\u2019ve worked alongside some of the best broadcasters in the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The doors Young Female Broadcaster has opened and the people I’ve been able to learn from have been extraordinary. Working with Take Her Lead as a content creator, hosting events, speaking on panels, writing blogs, and being mentored by Isa Guha and others has been an invaluable experience and it has genuinely changed my trajectory. You don\u2019t need any experience to apply, just a passion – so go for it!\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nThink you\u2019ve got what it takes to be our next Young Female Broadcaster of the Year? <\/p>\n
To enter the competition, click the link below to submit a showreel of your best go at a match report, match commentary, video blog or interview.<\/p>\n