Kate Richardson Walsh

Kate Richardson-Walsh is one of Britain’s most accomplished female hockey players, having captained the GB women's hockey teams for an impressive 13 years. She first made her international debut in 1999, and her extensive international career includes more than 370 appearances for her country. In 2016, she became the most capped female player in her country’s history, a record she achieved during a series against Australia. Richardson-Walsh has also led the England team since 2003, securing a gold medal at the European Championships in 2015, and achieving a bronze and two silvers in three successive Commonwealth Games.

Her pinnacle achievement came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she not only guided the GB team to their first-ever women's hockey gold medal but also made history with her teammate and spouse, Helen Richardson-Walsh, as the first same-sex married couple to win an Olympic medal while playing on the same team. This gold medal victory remains a significant highlight of her illustrious career.

Among her numerous accolades, Richardson-Walsh has been shortlisted for the FIH World Player of the Year and has twice received the Hockey Writers’ Player of the Year award. Her contributions to the sport have been recognized with prestigious honors, including being appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2015 and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2017, both for services to hockey. Additionally, she was a nominee for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in December 2016.

After retiring from international competition, Richardson-Walsh married her teammate Helen Richardson in 2013 and adopted a double-barreled surname. She has transitioned into roles that leverage her experience in high-performance environments, including coaching. She now plays for Dutch side Bloemendaal and works as an assistant coach for the Canadian Women’s Field Hockey team.

As an ambassador for the Women’s Sport Trust and an advocate for disability hockey through Access Sport, she remains actively involved in promoting sports inclusivity and engagement. Richardson-Walsh also serves on both the British and European Olympic Athlete’s Commissions, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the athletic community. She continues to share her knowledge and experiences through various platforms, reflecting her dedication to leadership, team building, high performance under pressure, and diversity and inclusion.