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Kate Richardson-Walsh was selected to play for the under-16 Great Britain team when she was just 14 years old. Having first taken up hockey at age 11, it took Kate just nine years to start playing for her country.

In 1999, Kate made both her England and Great Britain debuts and went on to play at the full range of international tournaments, including four Summer Olympics, four Hockey World Cups and four Commonwealth Games.

At 23 years of age, Helen was made captain of the senior GB hockey team, a role she held for 13 years until she retired in 2016.

In the London 2012 Olympics, Kate was hit by a stick in the opening match of the tournament, suffering a broken jaw, which was expected to see her sit out the remainder of the tournament. However, after undergoing surgery and missing only three matches, she miraculously returned to play in the team’s penultimate group game against China and captained the team to win the bronze medal.

Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE | After Retirement

After 375 appearances for her country, 19 medals, 49 goals and 13 years as GB and England Captain, Kate Richardson-Walsh retired from international hockey in 2016 after the Rio Olympic Games.

In July 2018, Kate was appointed as joint Head Coach for Hampstead & Westminster Ladies XI.

Kate was part of the BT Sport commentary team for the 2017 Eurohockey championships, along with her wife Helen. She also provided hockey commentary and analysis for BBC Sport and Radio 5 Live at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, as well as analysis for the 2018 World Cup on BT Sport.

In 2024, Kate was part of the BBC’s guest presenting team for the Paris Olympic Games.

She currently serves as an ambassador for UN Women and the Women’s Sport Trust and supports disability hockey as an ambassador for Access Sport.

Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE | Awards and Accolades

Kate was awarded the Hockey Writers Club UK Player of the Year award in 2003, 2007 and 2012.

In 2003 and 2016, she was shortlisted for the FIH World Player of the Year Award.

She was named Great Britain Hockey Athlete of the Year in 2007.

In 2014, Kate was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Kate was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to hockey and two years later received an OBE. Her wife and teammate Helen received an OBE, making them the first same-sex married couple to be honoured in the same list.

In 2016, Kate was the first hockey player to be shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

In June 2017, Kate was awarded the England Hockey Member of Honour, the highest honour in English Hockey. This award is the highest accolade that can be given by the Governing Body and is made in recognition of outstanding contribution to England Hockey.

Only five other people have received the award.

In 2017, Kate was the first British hockey player to be inducted into the European Hall of Fame by the EHF.

Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh were awarded the National Lottery Spirit of Sport Award at the 2017 annual Sports Journalists’ Association British Sports Awards.

 

 

Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE | Speaking Topics

Kate is an experienced motivational speaker and is happy to host or deliver Q&As, keynotes and after-dinner speeches. She has a powerful leadership and team-building story to tell and can speak on the following themes:

• Leadership and communication: building a winning mindset and bringing out the best in people
• Team building: creating unity of standards, spirit and culture
• Maintaining peak performance
• Ambition and goal setting: effective planning, organisation and evaluation
• Change management: How to turn performance around
• High performance under pressure
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Grassroots sport and inspiring a new generation
• Female leadership

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great Sports Speakers now to book international hockey player and Team GB Olympic medal winner Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE for your next event.