Helen Richardson-Walsh

Helen Richardson-Walsh, a midfield maestro, is one of the most experienced members of the GB women’s hockey team. She began her international career in 1999 at 17 and became the youngest woman to represent GB hockey at the Sydney Olympics. Helen competed in four Olympic Games, playing a central role in leading the team to victory at Rio 2016. She and her wife, GB captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, made history as the first same-sex married couple to win an Olympic medal on the same team.

Over her 17-year international career, Helen won a Commonwealth bronze and two silvers, a bronze at London 2012, and the European Championship title in 2015. She reached the pinnacle of her sport with a gold medal at Rio 2016, where she was one of only two players to score during a tense penalty shootout against the Netherlands. Recognized as one of the best, she was shortlisted for the World Player of the Year Award and named in the FIH World All Stars Team three times.

Helen’s success was not always assured. After London 2012, her career was threatened by two ruptured discs in her back and subsequent surgeries, forcing her out of the game for two years. Despite facing depression and intense pressure, she returned to the team and played a pivotal role in creating a winning culture within GB women’s hockey.

Helen retired from international duty with nearly 300 caps and an MBE for services to hockey. She continues to play at the club level, serves as an ambassador for UN Women and Access Sport, and acts as a Performance Psychologist for Tottenham Hotspur Women. Helen holds a degree in psychology and is pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology.

Helen is an experienced keynote speaker and can address topics such as high performance, motivation, team psychology, leading change, mental wellbeing, inspiring future generations, and diversity and inclusion.