Anna Kessel began writing for The Observer the same season that Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal side went unbeaten in the league. If there was ever an omen to pursue a career in writing about sport that was it.

Since those heady early days she has enjoyed covering major sports events including the 2004 Olympic Games, the 2006 men’s World Cup in Germany, the 2007 women’s World Cup in China, the Olympic Games in Beijing, and most recently Usain Bolt’s world record breaking runs at the World Championships in Berlin this year. She also ghosts David James’ award winning column in The Observer.

Following the integration of the Guardian and The Observer last year, Anna now writes for both newspapers.

As one of a very small handful of female sports writers, Anna quickly adjusted to being asked, “are you sure you’re in the right place, love?” and, “are you waiting for your boyfriend?”

Finding that being a woman in sport can be an isolating experience she roped the FA, UK Sport and CCPR into hosting a Women in Sport conference in 2006, and co-founded the Women in Football networking group the following year.