Biography

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Double Olympian and London 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Crista Cullen, is widely recognised as one of the best hockey defenders in the world. She was 1 of 542 athletes representing Team GB during the London 2012 Olympics and her bronze medal contributed to the 65 medals won at the games.

Crista also has over 170 Great Britain and England combined caps, Commonwealth, World Cup and European cup bronze medals, awarded Great Britain’s Hockey player of the year (2006) , named three times in the International Hockey Federation’s World All Stars Team (2006, 2007, 2010), and was Great Britain’s top goal scorer in the Beijing Olympics.

Born in Lincolnshire, Crista spent her early life growing up in Kenya, where her family still live, before moving to Leicestershire at the age of 12 to attend Oakham School, in Rutland. She went on to study Business Studies at Nottingham Trent University achieving a 2:1 Hons degree. Crista was working for Sports Recruitment International before London 2012 as their Marketing Manager. Currently she is offering coaching and speaking at various venues please see Appearances Page.

Crista started her hockey career at the age of just 9 at Banda School in Kenya and was only introduced to an astro turf at the age of 14 during Leicestshire U15 hockey trials. Crista hockey accelerated quickly, playing County, Regional and England before being honoured with her Great Britain Cap when she was 18.

Throughout her entire hockey career Crista has been dedicated to Leicester Hockey Club and has been an influential part of the team for over ten years. Leicester have sucessfully won the English Premier League title 4 times, and have represented in Europe achieving a silver medal  in 2011. Crista dedication to Leicester Hockey Club earned her the honour of being Hockey Writers’ Club Player of the Year in 2005 and 2007.

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