Sam Quek

Sam Quek MBE is an Olympic gold medallist, former Great Britain hockey defender, and one of Britain's most recognisable sports broadcasters. Throughout her outstanding career, Sam has consistently demonstrated determination, resilience, and versatility both on and off the hockey pitch. With an impressive tally of over 125 international caps representing both England and Great Britain, her career exemplifies dedication, leadership, and perseverance.

Sam’s passion for hockey ignited during her school years, where her exceptional talent quickly stood out, prompting her to join local clubs and swiftly progress through regional and national levels. Her dedication to the sport continued at Leeds Metropolitan University, where she successfully balanced rigorous training with her academic studies, graduating with a degree in Sports & Exercise Science. At just 19 years old, Sam earned her first international cap for Great Britain against Argentina, marking the beginning of a remarkable international career.

Throughout her time as a professional athlete, Sam competed in some of the most prestigious global sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games, EuroHockey Championships, and notably, the Olympic Games. Demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, she captained Team England at the 2014 Champions Trophy. A standout moment in her career came in 2015 when she was named Man of the Match as England secured a memorable gold medal at the European Championship, defeating the reigning world champions, the Netherlands. Her crowning glory came at the Rio Olympics 2016, where Sam played a pivotal role in Great Britain’s historic victory, securing the first-ever women’s hockey Olympic gold medal for her nation.

Since retiring from professional hockey, Sam has transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, becoming a prominent figure in sports media. She notably became the first permanent female captain on the BBC’s long-running sports quiz show, A Question of Sport, co-hosted BBC’s popular daytime programme, Morning Live, and fronted BBC’s coverage of the Tokyo Olympics with their Olympic Breakfast show. Sam’s versatility is further highlighted through her role co-hosting BBC 5 Live’s renowned football phone-in programme, '606', and co-presenting the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest 2023 opening ceremony in Liverpool. Sam continues to delight audiences beyond sports broadcasting, participating in popular entertainment programmes including I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, The Chase, Pointless Celebrities, and Play to the Whistle, as well as competing in the highly anticipated Strictly Come Dancing 2024. Sam Quek’s engaging personality and inspirational story make her an ideal speaker, appealing to diverse audiences from students to corporate professionals.