Anna Kessel: Championing Women in Sport and Transforming Sports Journalism
Breaking Barriers Through Journalism, Advocacy, and Equality
Introduction
Anna Kessel MBE is a pioneering figure in British sports journalism, celebrated for her powerful voice in advocating for women in sport. With a career that spans two decades, she has played a transformative role in reshaping how women’s sports are covered and perceived in the media. From her early days at The Guardian to her leadership roles at The Telegraph and Sky Sports, Kessel has remained committed to equality, visibility, and change. Her efforts have not only elevated female athletes but have also challenged deeply rooted gender biases within the sporting world.
A co-founder of Women in Football and the author of Eat, Sweat, Play, Kessel’s influence extends beyond journalism into activism and policy reform. Through strategic campaigns, public speaking, and thoughtful storytelling, she has inspired institutions to rethink representation and inclusivity in sport. Her work has garnered national honors and remains central to ongoing conversations about fairness and access in athletic spaces.
Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anna Sofia Kessel MBE |
| Date of Birth | Circa 1979 |
| Age | Approximately 46 (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Camden, London, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Accent | British (London-based) |
| Children | Two daughters (born in 2012 and 2016) |
| Start of Career | 2004 (The Guardian and Observer) |
| Current Role | Executive Director of Development, Sky Sports |
| Notable Work | Eat, Sweat, Play (Author), Co-founder of Women in Football |
| Net Worth/Salary | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sources of Income | Journalism, media roles, authorship, speaking engagements |
Anna Kessel: A Trailblazer in Sports Journalism
Early Life and Personal Background
Anna Kessel was born around 1979 in Camden, London, where she spent her formative years immersed in a diverse and vibrant community. Growing up in a city rich with culture and activism, Kessel developed a passion for storytelling and social justice that would later shape her groundbreaking career in sports journalism.
Despite the limited public information about her private life, it is known that Anna is a dedicated mother of two daughters. Her personal experiences as a parent have only fueled her mission to build a world where girls and women are equally represented, respected, and celebrated in sport.
Start of Career and Breakthrough in Journalism
Anna began her professional journalism career in 2004, joining The Guardian and The Observer. She quickly carved out a space for herself as a leading voice in women’s sports—an area that had long been underrepresented in mainstream media. Her articles challenged gender stereotypes, highlighted female athletic achievement, and advocated for a more inclusive sporting culture.
By covering global events like the Olympic Games and international football tournaments, Kessel not only raised the visibility of women athletes but also established herself as a credible, fearless journalist. Her storytelling went beyond stats and scores—it tackled issues of equity, body image, and representation with conviction.
Leadership at Women in Football
In 2007, Anna co-founded Women in Football (WiF), a pivotal organization dedicated to improving gender diversity in the football industry. With co-founder Shelley Alexander, she built a platform that supported thousands of women across various football professions, from coaches and analysts to journalists and executives.
Serving as the organization’s chair until 2017, Kessel was instrumental in driving forward initiatives to challenge sexism and create more opportunities for women in the game. Under her leadership, WiF became a movement that reshaped how the football world approached equality, policy, and inclusivity.
Blue Plaque Rebellion and Social Advocacy
Anna’s advocacy extended beyond football. In 2017, she launched the Blue Plaque Rebellion, a campaign to confront the gender imbalance in the UK’s commemorative heritage system. While hundreds of blue plaques honored male athletes, only two were dedicated to sportswomen.
This campaign sparked public debate and highlighted the ongoing need to recognize and record the contributions of women in history—especially in sport. Her efforts inspired others to reflect on whose achievements are celebrated, and why that visibility matters for future generations.
Book: Eat, Sweat, Play
In 2016, Kessel published her landmark book Eat, Sweat, Play: How Sport Can Change Your Life. The book was both personal and political, exploring how sport can empower women, challenge gender norms, and improve mental and physical health.
Blending firsthand experience with journalistic insight, the book was praised for its honesty and relatability. It served as a rallying cry for women and girls who have felt excluded from sports culture and inspired a wave of conversation around fitness, feminism, and well-being.
Editorial Leadership at The Telegraph and Sky Sports
In 2019, Anna joined The Daily Telegraph as Women’s Sports Editor, where she spearheaded efforts to elevate women’s sport across the paper’s digital and print platforms. Her work resulted in increased coverage, improved editorial standards, and the normalization of female sports in daily reporting.
Later, she transitioned to Sky Sports as the Executive Director of Development, taking her vision to the next level. In this executive role, Kessel has led strategic projects focused on long-term growth for women’s sport, shaping policy and media approaches from the top down.
Recognition and Honors
In recognition of her transformative impact, Anna Kessel was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2016. This prestigious honor acknowledged her services to journalism and women’s sport—a testament to her advocacy, leadership, and influence in reshaping public narratives.
She has also been listed among The Independent’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Sport, an accolade that underscores her continued relevance and respect in the global sports community.
Goals and Ongoing Legacy
Anna’s lifelong mission is to ensure that sport is inclusive and accessible for all, especially women and girls. Her work consistently seeks to address not only underrepresentation but also the cultural and structural barriers that keep women out of leadership roles in sport.
Her legacy is one of transformation—she’s not just reporting the story, she’s changing it. Through every article, campaign, and initiative, Anna Kessel is making sport a fairer, more empowering place for future generations.
Conclusion
Anna Kessel’s impact on sports journalism and advocacy is both profound and enduring. She has broken barriers, uplifted voices, and pioneered a new narrative for women in sport. Her leadership at organizations like Women in Football, combined with her editorial influence and published works, has created a lasting legacy of empowerment and equity.
As sport continues to evolve, Kessel’s contributions stand as a benchmark for progress. She not only reports on change—she makes it happen. For aspiring journalists, athletes, and advocates, Anna Kessel remains a guiding light in the pursuit of a fairer, more inclusive sporting world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Anna Kessel known for?
Anna is widely known for her work in sports journalism and her advocacy for women in sport, particularly through Women in Football and her book Eat, Sweat, Play.
Q2: What role does she currently hold?
As of 2025, Anna is the Executive Director of Development at Sky Sports, focusing on advancing women’s sport.
Q3: Has Anna Kessel won any awards?
Yes, she was honored with an MBE in 2016 for her contributions to journalism and gender equality in sport.
Q4: What impact did Women in Football have?
Under Anna’s leadership, WiF grew into a powerful network supporting gender equality in the football industry, advocating policy change and workplace reform.
Q5: What is the Blue Plaque Rebellion?
It’s a campaign launched by Anna to highlight the lack of public recognition for women athletes in the UK and to push for equal representation in historic honors.
