Helen Richardson-Walsh

Alongside Head Coach Danny Kerry and a close knit team of senior players they put in place team values and processes to create a winning culture within the squad. Central to this was working as a team to identify the key behaviours which they had to live and breathe every single day. They also had to create an environment that encouraged respect and support for each other, even while they were battling for selection.

‘Be the Difference, Create History and Inspire the Future’ was their team mantra, and in winning gold in Rio she feels immense pride that they have done just that.

As she stepped on to the podium alongside her team mate and wife, GB captain Kate Richardson-Walsh, they also entered Olympic history as the first same sex married couple to win an Olympic medal playing for the same team. Her experience of the support she received from her team mates around mental health, as well as her sexuality, has also made Helen a passionate supporter of inclusivity whether in the workplace or society. Describing hockey as her ‘safe place’ she can share the experiences of what an inclusive environment can mean for personal performance, as well the importance of a team culture where diverse characters are encouraged to bring different skills to the table and given the opportunity to achieve their potential.

Like Kate, she is a highly intelligent and experienced presenter who is more than happy to deliver keynote speeches on the themes of leadership and motivation, take part in Q&As, host and deliver team building hockey taster sessions.

• High performance
• Motivation and goal setting
• Psychology and behaviours of a winning team
• Leading change
• Fighting back and mental wellbeing
• Inspiring a generation
• Diversity and inclusion