Kathy Baker is a professional athlete who played a key role in the Ireland 7s Olympic team during the 2024 Paris Olympics and featured in SVNS series in Dubai, where Ireland finished sixth. Outside of sport, Kathy is pursuing a personal training qualification.
Billie Jean King because of her bravery to challenge the perception of women’s athletic abilities.
Qualifying for the Olympics. I couldn’t believe that we had done it. Not in our wildest dreams did we think we would be mixing it with the best 7s teams in the world at the Olympics!
Some early 2000s bangers and singalongs.
I wake up at 6am and wash my face, brush my teeth and get dressed. I usually leave the house at 6:20am. When I arrive for training the first thing I do is have breakfast and I can never go without my coffee! Before we head out to the pitch we have a team meeting then we head out to train. After the pitch session, I jump into the shower before we move on to a gym session. After another shower, we all head up for lunch and review the entire session. Unfortunately, when I get home I usually have to put a wash on and ready myself for the next day. To wind down at the end of the evening I watch TV and then I’m off to bed.
Sleep is essential for recovery. I always feel revitalised after a good night’s sleep, I train better and feel much better with more sleep.
Being yourself despite anyone else’s judgement.
Watch the footage and learn from it. I need to forget about the negatives in the game because we often have a short turnaround time until our next game. You have to be able to drop the baggage of a bad performance and leave it behind you. I think it is crucial not to take a bad performance into your next game.
Sport plays a vital role in community life for several reasons:
1. Building Connections: Sports bring people together, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging within clubs and local communities. They create opportunities for social interaction and teamwork.
2. Promoting Health: Engaging in sports encourages physical activity, which is essential for maintaining health and well-being.
3. Cultural Identity: On a national level, sports can be a source of pride and identity.
4. Youth Development: Sports provide young people with important life skills, such as teamwork, discipline and leadership. They also offer a constructive outlet for energy and creativity.
5. Community Engagement: Local sports events can boost community spirit and involvement, bringing together diverse groups of people for a common purpose.
6. Mental Well-being: Participating in sports can reduce stress and anxiety, improving mental health. It offers a break from daily routines and a chance to unwind.
Kathy Baker is an ambassador for the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and along with her fellow ambassadors, spearheaded the ‘Be A Good Human’ campaign this past Christmas.