Helen with her grandfather Don Perkins. Courtesy of Hockey Wales.
20.07.1966 – 19.11.2020
The Hockey Family were saddened to hear that Welsh goalkeeper and Olympic bronze medal winner, Helen Morgan (nee Grandon) passed away on the 19 November 2020 at the age of 54.
Helen was introduced to the game at thirteen and she soon established herself as a precocious goalkeeper who, just a few months later, made history by becoming the youngest ever player to play in the European Club Championships with Swansea. She would win go on to win six national titles.
Helen proudly represented Wales and her prowess and unflappable nature saw her become the only Welsh player selected for the 1992 Great Britain (GB) bronze medal-winning side at the Barcelona Olympic Games. They triumphed over Korea 4-3 to take bronze. As the only Welsh competitor to win a medal in Barcelona, she found herself feted on her return.
Helen was awarded 19 caps for GB.
Helen was not only a talented hockey player, but following Olympic success she turned her energies to football and was selected for Wales – but outfielder rather than in goal. She went on to captain the Welsh football team for two years.
You can hear Helen talk about her Olympic experience and read the longer transcript of an interview she gave to People’s Collection Wales in 2014 by clicking here.
Following her retirement from the game, Helen went on to inspire many young people through her coaching and stories of her many achievements.
Those that had the honour of knowing Helen say that she was an incredibly humble and kind person who was known for her smile and infectious laugh; a real character and a truly lovely individual who will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.
This obituary combines those on Hockey Wales and Great Britain Hockey websites.
