One of the most inspirational women in sport who led her squad to an undefeated Olympic victory in 2016 showed students what it takes to be a champion during a visit to Suffolk.
Team GB hockey legend Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE was guest of honour at Ipswich High School for Girls’ annual sports dinner, which celebrates the achievements of pupils over the last year.
The most capped field hockey player in the country, Kate ran a masterclass for students where she taught key skills and approaches including carrying the ball at pace, changing direction at speed and thinking outside the box to beat the competition.
Schoolchildren also had to chance to quiz Kate, who was captain of the GB hockey team for 13 years until her retirement in 2016, during a Q&A session, where pupils asked her about her inspirations, motivations and future plans.
In the evening, Kate joined students, parents and staff in the school’s orangery for the annual sports dinner, where high-flyers were awarded for success in tennis, netball, swimming, rounders, skiing, athletics, among others.
Jane Fison, director of sport, said it was an “honour and privilege” to welcome the Olympic gold medallist to the school.
Headteacher Oona Carlin added: “As a hockey player myself, I was thrilled to have Kate Richardson-Walsh present at our school.
“Our pupils, staff and parents found the day and evening remarkable and we are all now even more determined to, in Kate’s words, create history and inspire the future.”
Kate was selected to be the Team GB flag bearer at the closing ceremony in the Rio Olympics.
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