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Sport Nation
FIFA World Cup 2026 poster'Hard to put into words': Suzie Bates recognised with King’s Birthday Honour
Sport Nation • June 1st, 2026 10:15 am
Suzie Bates | Photo: Photosport
Suzie Bates has never chased recognition, so when it arrived in the form of a King’s Birthday Honour, it landed with a quiet sense of disbelief rather than celebration.
Speaking to Sport Nation from Bristol, the White Ferns great reflected on being named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cricket and basketball, admitting the moment still feels surreal.
“It’s sort of hard to put into words, I think, as well currently when you’re kind of in the middle of preparing for a World Cup and knowing that it’s my last,” Bates said.
“That’s where my focus has been recently. And yeah, for this to happen, it is a little bit overwhelming.”
The timing is significant. As Bates prepares for one final World Cup campaign in New Zealand colours, her attention remains firmly on the job ahead.
The honour, she says, is something she will likely appreciate more once her international career comes to a close.
“I know at the end of this year when my New Zealand cricket journey’s over and I have the chance to just sit down and reflect and look back, this is one of those awards that I think I’m gonna be very proud of and to be recognised in this way is really cool.”
While the recognition carries national weight, Bates was quick to point to the people behind the scenes who shaped her journey, particularly growing up in Dunedin at a time when professional pathways for women in sport were limited.
Scotty's moving tribute to retiring White Ferns great Suzie Bates | Scotty & Izzy
Inside the White Ferns camp, the reaction has been exactly what you would expect - pride, followed quickly by humour.
“We just had a quick leadership chat and I had to get up and take a phone call and Sophie got up and bowed her hand and I said 'oh that’s rich coming from you' so she sat down very quickly,” Bates said.
“They were calling me Lady Bates as well, they’ve been trying to call me Lady Bates for a couple of years so now they think they can. I don’t agree with that one so there’s been a lot of stick already.”
The nickname may not have her approval, but it is likely to stick for the remainder of the tour.
The team has recently regrouped in England after a short break, with some players taking the opportunity to travel before the final push towards the World Cup. A training camp in Millfield now signals a shift back to full focus.
Preparation has included a mix of encouraging performances and tough lessons, but Bates believes the group is building nicely at the right time.
“The last game was clearly very disappointing, but I think in all those lead up games that we’ve had in South Africa and England, there’s been some real positives and we’ve had a number of different players step up,” she said.
“I think we all know in this group that it doesn’t really matter what you do in the lead up. We’ve just got to be ready for that first game.”
It is a mindset shaped by experience and belief, and one that will be crucial as the White Ferns look to finish Bates’ international career on the highest note.
For now though, the focus remains unchanged. The accolades can wait. There is still work to do.
Listen to the full interview below:
