Susannah Townsend

Susannah Townsend MBE is a field hockey player who plays in midfield for both Great Britain and England. She was a part of the famous 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games where she helped guide Great Britain to winning the gold medal. Townsend has represented both England and Great Britain since 2008 and has played 88 times for England, with a further 58 appearances coming for Great Britain.

A fierce competitor, Townsend made her international debut back in 2008 and was part of the central squad in the lead-up to the London Olympics. The Canterbury player missed out on selection but since the London games, she has become an integral part of the England and Great Britain squads. A quick and powerful player, the No 9 has turned heads with her lung-bursting runs from midfield and her ability to break the line when in possession. Also spending a lot of time as an Olympic speaker, she often reflects on the drive and determination required to be an elite hockey player. Aiming to inspire her audience, Townsend uses her own experiences in order to grip the audience and show true examples of drive and determination.

After performing at the highest level for a number of years, Townsend was awarded the Hockey Writers' Club Women's Player of the Year in 2014 after performing exceptionally well throughout the duration of the year. She continues to perform to the highest standard and is a pivotal player within England's squad. Now being one of the more experienced players in the squad, Townsend is seen as one of the leaders in the group. She often reflects on the importance of teamwork and leadership throughout her time as an after dinner speaker and can explain how vital it is to businesses as well as sports teams.

Townsend has played hockey at an international level for over ten years meaning she has gained vital skills required to be a successful speaker. She conducts herself in a professional manner and is considered a well-rounded, respectable individual. She often discusses her playing career, as well as vital business-related subjects like overcoming adversity and maximising success. Possessing great speaking skills, Townsend is one of the most highly sought after Olympic speakers on the after dinner circuit.