Rechelle Hawkes

Rechelle Hawkes AM is a trailblazing figure in Australian sport, widely celebrated as one of the most successful female hockey players in international history. As the only athlete to be a member of all three of Australia’s Olympic gold medal-winning women’s hockey teams, she stands in elite company alongside national sporting icons like Dawn Fraser and Andrew Hoy. Her legacy is defined by a blend of unmatched athletic excellence and transformative leadership.

Rechelle’s international hockey journey began in 1985, marking the start of a stellar career that spanned 279 international matches. She competed in four Olympic Games, including Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta, and Sydney, and secured Olympic gold in 1988, 1996, and 2000. As captain of the Australian Women’s Hockey Team, the Hockeyroos, from 1993 to 2000, she led the squad to unprecedented dominance, winning two World Cups, five Champions Trophies, and the first Commonwealth Games title for women’s hockey in 1998. Remarkably, under her captaincy, the Hockeyroos lost just one international tournament, establishing themselves as one of Australia’s greatest sporting teams.

Rechelle was given the prestigious honour of reciting the Athletes’ Oath at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, a moment that highlighted her status as a role model for athletes around the world. Her post-match declaration, “It’s time to go. I just don’t want to train anymore”, following Australia’s gold medal win in Sydney, marked the close of an extraordinary playing career.

Her contributions to Australian sport have been recognised with numerous prestigious accolades. In 1989, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to hockey. She was later inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2002, joining the ranks of Australia’s most respected athletes. In 2018, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to hockey, particularly as captain of multiple tournament-winning teams, as well as her role as a role model and commentator. 

Since retiring from elite competition, Rechelle has channelled her experience into empowering others. She is a highly sought-after leadership consultant and team development expert, working with organisations to build high-performing teams and cultivate impactful leaders. Drawing on her wealth of experience from her time with the Hockeyroos, she emphasises the importance of collaboration, emotional intelligence, and the role of culture in achieving excellence. Her approach blends practical experience with contemporary insights, offering organisations innovative strategies for leadership development and cultural transformation.

Rechelle Hawkes’ legacy is a testament to the power of resilience, teamwork, and inspired leadership. Her journey from a young debutante in 1985 to a globally celebrated sporting icon and leadership mentor stands as a shining example of excellence in both sport and life.