·       Freedom recipient made her name on the BBC’s Test Match Special and travels the world to commentate on international cricket

·       Female sports broadcaster recognised as “trailblazer” in her field

·       Alison Mitchell: “humbling to be recognised in this way”

Alison Mitchell, widely regarded as a female trailblazer in the field of sports commentary, has received the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhall today.

An award‑winning journalist and broadcaster, Alison became the first British woman to commentate on the BBC’s Test Match Special in 2007, building a listener relationship that now spans nearly 20 years.

Alison expanded into top-level tennis and golf, and was BBC Radio 5 Live’s artistic gymnastics commentator across three Olympic Games, including London 2012. In 2014, she became the first woman to deliver ball‑by‑ball cricket commentary for Australia’s ABC and three years later, the first woman to commentate a televised men’s Ashes series for BT Sport.

Alison now works regularly with Channel Seven in Australia; covers men’s and women’s ICC World Cups and tennis Grand Slams; presents the BBC’s Stumped podcast; and remains a key voice on Test Match Special. She also lends her voice to Channel 4’s Crufts coverage.

Alison is a former Trustee of The Johnners Trust and a Patron of the MCC Foundation, and currently serves as an independent non‑executive director at Sport Resolutions in the City of London.

Alison has been nominated for the Freedom by City of London Corporation elected Members, Deputy Andrien Meyers and Alderman Prem Goyal.

Speaking after her Freedom ceremony, Alison Mitchell said:

“I moved to London for broadcasting purposes in my 20s when there were no women doing lead commentary on mainstream sport that I was aware of.

“This great city has been my home ever since, with many happy hours spent in commentary boxes at Lord’s and the Oval, as well as Wimbledon. Of course, the city was at its absolute finest during London 2012, which remains a career highlight for me.

“The Freedom of the City of London is something that I never ever expected to be given. It is truly humbling to be recognised in this way, and I thank Andrien Meyers and Prem Goyal for my nomination. This is an extremely special day, both, for me, and my family and friends who have supported me so much over the years.”

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, said:

“Alison Mitchell punched through the glass ceiling and has established herself as a hugely knowledgeable and versatile sports commentator, respected by her colleagues in the broadcasting industry and millions of sports fans at home and abroad.

“By helping establish female voices in lead sports commentary as the ‘new normal’, Alison deserves our praise and admiration, and it is entirely fitting that we admit her into the Freedom.”

City of London Corporation elected Member, Andrien Meyers, said:

“This is a wonderful and well-deserved recognition of Alison’s outstanding contributions as a pioneering sports broadcaster.

“As well as being the first woman to commentate regularly on BBC’s Test Match Special, her award-winning journalism, exceptional coverage of major events, passionate advocacy for girl's and women's cricket, and amplifying the stories of women's teams worldwide have truly set the highest standards in the industry. 

“Alison has today become part of a historic tradition and I wish her all the very best as she celebrates this fantastic achievement.”

The City Corporation’s Sport Strategy aims to make the Square Mile a global sports destination, by offering attractive and valued sport facilities, venues, activations, and events for residents, workers, and visitors.

One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.

As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.  

Recent notable recipients include broadcaster and breast cancer charity ambassador, Gloria Hunniford; two-time Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian, Cate Blanchett; novelist, Ken Follett; actor, Ray Winstone; and City of London Police Special Constable and TV presenter, Penny Lancaster.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk