Standout Hockey Players Celebrated at End of Season Fiesta

**Leicester City Hockey Club hosted a mixed tournament and awards ceremony at St Margaret’s Pastures Sports Centre to celebrate the achievements and performances of the season.**

Alice Page captained the White team to victory in a closely contested, four team tournament in the afternoon. 

The day started with junior members receiving the academy awards, before the Mens and Ladies teams socially distanced to share their honours in the evening.

Gaynor Nash, who hosted the awards, said: "Today's fiesta has been a fantastic way to see out the season and celebrate all the successes on and off the pitch. 

"All the coaches, staff and volunteers at the club have worked incredibly hard throughout the season to ensure hockey has safely gone ahead when we've been allowed to between restrictions.

"The award winners are thoroughly deserving, it's a shame we can't give more out, and it's only a short summer before we're back again in September to pre-season."

Cas Evans took home the Club Person of the Year award, for her commitment, versatility, and guiding hand across the board in her last season with the club. 

Katie Long and Rachel Mack won the Ladies 1st team Players' player and Coach's player awards respectively, alongside Matt Lilley and Chris Sibson for the Mens 1st team.

"We have some outstanding players across the club with huge amounts of talent and potential, it's a really exciting time to see the club growing and succeeding so much," Gaynor added. 

"A few teams will be pushing for promotion again next season, so let's hope for even bigger celebrations when we return."

Congratulations to all the winners on the day. A full list is below:

**Men's 1s**

M1 Players’ Player – Matt Lilley

M1 Coach’s Player – Chris Sibson

**Men's 2s**

M2 Players’ Player – Tom Cole

M2 Coach’s Player – Alex Magill

**Ladies 1s**

L1 Players’ Player – Katie Long

L1 Coach’s Player – Rachael Mack

**Ladies 2s**

L2 Players’ Player – Katie Evans-Puttick

L2 Coach’s player – Sarah Turner

**Ladies 3s**

L3 Players’ Player – Nicole Burns

L3 Coach’s Player – Nicola Davies

**Ladies 4s**

L4 Players’ Player – Ady Kendall

L4 Coach’s Player – Lydia Cross

**Ladies 5s**

L5 Players’ Player – Lottie Dixon

L5 Coach’s Player – Joy York

**John Fear – Club Supporter of the Year – Steve Young**

Steve has been the Men’s Manager for two seasons now, he gathers in availability to enable selection, lets people know what’s going on and supports all the games that he can. His support has been invaluable and getting our men’s sides organised and he’s even said he will carry on next year. He really captures the essence of the Late John Fear who we are sure would have loved and got on well with Steve!

**Dawn Smith – Award for Dedication – Alice Page**

Alice has been running our academy now for well over a year and a half, she plans with the coaches, communicates with the academy members, delivers coaching herself and really engages with the players and their parents. She has organised our very successful camps and has helped grow the academy, enabling us to provide hockey for boys and girls who are keen to attend, she does this all as a volunteer! This award isn’t about playing, Dawn Smith was known for her perseverance, and dedication to the sport and we think Alice really shows this too!

**Kath Johnson – Award for Endeavour – Declan Shepherd**

Besides supporting Elsbeth with the men’s section Dec has always been keen to support other aspects of the club and this year has stepped up to support walking hockey, one of our newest sections. His coaching and support has meant that each week the members can learn, practise and avoid running! Dec has also signed up to do his coaching and has been writing some great articles for the website and social media and this grows our profile and presence as a key deliverer of sports in the city and community.

**Gaynor Nash Young Person (U21) – Lara Tripp-Smith**

Lara has been a great addition to the 1st team squad this year, reliable and a talent to watch for the future. There is certainly more to come from her and we are excited for the player and club member she will develop into.

**Jo Dyer – Young Club Person – Isla Cullen**

Isla is growing into a confident and skilful player, but this half of the season has been cut short by injury. This hasn’t stopped her though and she has been helping at academy and supporting the younger players there with a view to doing her coaching qualifications as she gets older. Her support at academy has been very much appreciated and her support for the players has been widely praised by other coaches and parents.

**Club Person of the Year – Cas Evans**

Well….. Availability – Tick, Need some advice – Tick, Mother and Daughter playing on the same side – Tick, Need a GK – Tick, already got a busy job but finds time to email out the squads – Tick! Cas has been a huge help and all-rounder this season, in what could only be described as one of our most difficult years Cas has been there to help , guide and do. All the qualities a club person needs, Cas has shown. We will miss her next year and with Katie off to Uni, we are losing 2 key people to the club.

‍