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Sean Fitzpatrick

Chairman

Laureus World Sports Academy

London, UK

Sean Fitzpatrick

Alex Fitzgibbons

Stephen Fitzpatrick

Vertical Aerospace

Sean’s Biography

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Sean Fitzpatrick is widely considered to be one of the greatest rugby players of all time. A dominant presence at the position of hooker, and renowned for his consistent all-encompassing displays, his remarkable durability saw him accumulate a world record 63 consecutive test appearances for New Zealand.

An outstanding and highly-regarded public speaker, Sean provides motivational and leadership advice, with insights from his rugby and media careers.

During a long and glittering career, Sean featured at club and international level, for Auckland and the All Blacks respectively. He won countless accolades on both fronts, including 8 National Provincial Championships and a World Cup. Six years into his professional career, Fitzpatrick was bestowed the honour of the New Zealand captaincy, serving as leader of one of the world’s finest sports teams. Sean remained in the post until his retirement in 1997 and is lauded as one of New Zealand’s top 10 players in history.

At the climax of his playing days, Sean’s significant experience was in high demand and his multiple punditry roles,... Sean Fitzpatrick is widely considered to be one of the greatest rugby players of all time. A dominant presence at the position of hooker, and renowned for his consistent all-encompassing displays, his remarkable durability saw him accumulate a world record 63 consecutive test appearances for New Zealand.

An outstanding and highly-regarded public speaker, Sean provides motivational and leadership advice, with insights from his rugby and media careers.

During a long and glittering career, Sean featured at club and international level, for Auckland and the All Blacks respectively. He won countless accolades on both fronts, including 8 National Provincial Championships and a World Cup. Six years into his professional career, Fitzpatrick was bestowed the honour of the New Zealand captaincy, serving as leader of one of the world’s finest sports teams. Sean remained in the post until his retirement in 1997 and is lauded as one of New Zealand’s top 10 players in history.

At the climax of his playing days, Sean’s significant experience was in high demand and his multiple punditry roles, appearing on rugby broadcasts for ITV Sport and Sky Sports, have seen him cover every World Cup since 1999. Fitzpatrick also authored Winning Matters, a fascinating glimpse into how he achieved his success.

Transitioning into the business world and drawing upon the plethora of principles and values garnered throughout his career, Fitzpatrick operates a sport-to-business leadership company. Implementing a variety of individual presentations and longer-term strategies, Sean highlights his core principles to corporate executive management, striving to achieve a winning mentality. He also serves as Chairman for Laureus World Sports Academy, a renowned collection of sporting greats.

A genuine rugby icon, Sean is on the board for high stature clubs, Harlequins and Scarlets.

He was granted New Zealand's Order of Merit in 1997 for services to rugby. moreless

Sean’s Newsfeed

ITV pundits for Rugby World Cup

Sean Fitzpatrick has been announced as a member of the in-studio pundit team for ITV as part of their coverage of the Rugby World Cup in France.

Laureus Sport for Good Global Summit 2023: Changing the game for girls and young women in sport

The Laureus Sport for Good Global Summit brings together the main Sport for Good stakeholders in London next week at an event focused on improving involvement and outcomes for women and girls participating in sport.

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Sean’s Background

Laureus World Sports Academy

Chairman

May 2016 - Present

London, UK

The Laureus World Sports Academy is headed by Sean, and members meet annually to vote for the Laureus Sports Awards winners. The awards are regarded as the most prestigious in global sport. Sport for Good initiatives are another way for Academy members to engage with and inspire young people.

Sky Sports

Rugby Pundit

London, UK

Sky Sports offers a range of British subscription television channels and takes the lead in sports broadcasting throughout the UK and Ireland. Operated by Sky since 1990, Sky Sports has played a key role in the commercialisation of sport, inspiring the formation of the Premier League.

ITV Sport

Rugby Pundit

London, UK

Formed in 1985 following a merger between Granada Sport and Central Sport, ITV Sport is a major sport producer, covering a variety of events including football, horse racing, rugby and tennis. Sean has covered every Rugby World Cup since 1999 as a pundit.

The Guardian

Rugby Columnist

London, UK

The Guardian is a British daily newspaper founded in 1821 and forms part of the Guardian Media Group. Previously called The Manchester Guardian, the paper changed its name to The Guardian in 1959.

Blues

Professional Rugby Player

1996 - 1997

Auckland, NZ

Founded in 1996, the Blues are a New Zealand based rugby union team. Competing in the Super Rugby competition, they are one of the most successful sides, having won the title in its first two seasons, 1996 and 1997, and again in 2003. Home games are played at Eden Park, New Zealand's largest sports stadium with a capacity of 50,000.

Auckland

Professional Rugby Player

1986 - 1997

Auckland, NZ

The Auckland rugby union team are the most successful side in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship. Established in 1883, Auckland have won 17 NPC titles, more than any other team. They have also produced a record number of All Blacks, 181, and serve as a primary feeder to the Blues, who compete in the Super Rugby competition.

New Zealand National Rugby Union Team

Professional Rugby Player

1986 - 1997

Auckland, NZ

Commonly known as the All Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby union team represents the country in international rugby union, considered to be New Zealand's national sport. The team won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, with further successes in 2011 and 2015. The All Blacks have featured atop the World Rugby Rankings more than every other team combined.

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Sean’s Gallery

Photo of Sean Fitzpatrick

Laureus Academy Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick and Laureus Academy members Bryan Habana and Hugo Porta, posing at the Ritz Carltonon, Berlin, Germany

Photo of Sean Fitzpatrick

Sean Fitzpatrick's leadership business, Winning Matters

Sean Fitzpatrick's leadership business, Winning Matters

Sean Fitzpatrick's leadership business, Winning Matters

Advisory Roles

Whisper TV

Advisory Board Member

Feb 2021 - Present

Sean leads on new business opportunities for Whisper in Australasia. Whisper TV produces the Women’s Six Nations for the BBC, works with the Welsh Rugby Union and its social channels and produced the 2019 Rugby World Cup for S4C. The company is in a Partnership with World Rugby as their digital video and audio producer.

Current Board Positions

Scarlets

Board Member

Jul 2020 - Present

Llanelli, UK

Established in 2003 and nicknamed The Turks, Scarlets are one of four Welsh professional rugby union teams. They play in the Pro14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup and home games are contested at the Parc y Scarlets stadium.

Harlequins RFC

Board Member

London, UK

Harlequins was established in 1866 as Hampstead Football Club and rebranded in 1870. Rugby Football Union founding members, "Quins", as they are nicknamed, won the European Challenge Cup in 2011 and a first Premiership title in 2012. The team contests its home games at Twickenham Stoop, London.

Media

Oxford Union

Media Appearance - "Sean Fitzpatrick - Full

Jun 2019

Oxford, UK

Widely regarded as one of the best rugby players in the history of the game, Sean Fitzpatrick joined the All Blacks in 1986 and played 63 consecutive test matches, a world record. Here he tells his story at the Oxford Union, the world's most prestigious debating society. The Union has promoted global debate since 1823.

Startups

Blog - "7 front row leadership lessons from All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick"

Feb 2019

London, UK

Former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick highlights the key principles to winning in business and why success matters.

Publications

Winning Matters: Being the best you can be

Author

Jun 2011

London, UK

One of the best rugby players ever, playing for the best team on the planet in the All Blacks, Sean Fitzpatrick was a renowned leader and all action contributor throughout his career. Playing a record 51 games at captain for New Zealand, Fitzpatrick's legacy will never wane. Winning Matters affords the reader an invaluable opportunity to discover the beliefs and principles that made him tick.

Awards & Recognition

New Zealand New Year Honours

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Jan 1997

Auckland, NZ

Sean was appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 1997 New Years Honours for services to rugby.

World Rugby Hall of Fame

Inductee

Nov 2014

Rugby, UK

Previously branded the IRB Hall of Fame, the World Rugby Hall of Fame honours those who have contributed significantly to rugby union. Held on an annual basis since 2010, the institution recognises players, match officials, administrators, coaches and other individuals. Its main hub is situated in Rugby, Warwickshire, where the sport's origins can be traced back to.

Charitable Interests

Just Challenge

Ambassador

Hong Kong, HK

Just Challenge teams up with the world's leading sports stars, corporates and charities to organise challenges that raise a significant amount of money for charity. Clients have ranged from Arsenal Footbal Club to HSBC and AIG. The charity has raised almost £2 million and is endorsed by sporting greats including Sean Fitzpatrick, Brian O'Driscoll and Michael Vaughan.