Sport New Zealand Leadership Award for Katie Sadleir

In presenting the award, Sport NZ Group CEO Raelene Castle acknowledged Katie as a leader whose impact has been felt across continents, codes and generations.

Born in Scotland and raised in Canada, Katie eventually made Aotearoa her home. She represented New Zealand at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and then again at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, where she won bronze in synchronised swimming (now artistic swimming).

But her impact extends far beyond her time in the pool.

By her twenties, Katie had taken on her first governance role, serving on the board of the New Zealand Swimming Federation. In the late 90s, she led the establishment of the New Zealand Academy of Sport. She then served as General Manager of Sport and Recreation New Zealand (now Sport NZ), helping to build many of the foundations and programmes that still guide our sector today.

In 2016, she received the Sport NZ Lifetime Achievement Award and began asking herself what more she could contribute to sport.

That question took her to World Rugby where she grew the women’s game in ways few thought possible. She saw the potential of rugby to build confidence, leadership and opportunity – and she made sure those opportunities were available to women and girls everywhere.

When she arrived, there were no women on the global decision-making body’s council. That number grew to 17 within her first year. Under her leadership, participation in women’s rugby soared all around the world – not just in traditional rugby nations.

In 2021, she became the first woman Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (now Commonwealth Sport), leading the organisation toward a more sustainable model, which will be reflected in this year’s Games in Glasgow.

Katie has always championed the idea that everyone should be able to see themselves in sport – not only as participants, but as leaders, coaches, officials and decision makers. Her career reminds us that sport can and should be a place where everyone belongs.