Barry Middleton, the 29-year-old Great Britain, and England captain currently playing his club hockey with HGC in the Netherlands and Kate Walsh, the 32 year old Great Britain, England and Reading defender were this afternoon named UK Player of the Year for 2012 following the annual poll conducted amongst British members of the Hockey Writers' Club. Both are currently in the England training squads and are no strangers to honours.
Kate Walsh after suffering a horrendous injury in the closing minutes of GB's Olympic game against Japan when she suffered a broken jaw returned to captain her team in their important game against China six days later. Captain courageous went on to lead her team to the Olympic Bronze medal to conclude her international season. Shortly after the Olympics, she was back as assistant coach playing for her club side Reading.
Kate who began her international career in May 1999 against Russia in Dublin and has now amassed 292 combined Great Britain and England international caps (184 England 108 Great Britain) including the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and London 2012. She has won the HWC's UK Player of the Year twice previously in 2003 and 2007. Hearing of the present award her international and club colleague and last year's winner Alex Danson said: "Kate has been an incredible ambassador for our sport and been fantastic all year so is thoroughly deserving of her accolade."
The much-travelled Barry Middleton who has been another extraordinary ambassador for hockey is winning the UK Award for the fourth time (2006, 2007 & 2010). Starting his hockey in Doncaster, he then moved to Premier League
Cannock, where his hard graft, inspirational leadership and high class was established leading to a move to the Netherlands and then on to Germany playing for , one of their leading clubs. Olympic year saw him back in the UK playing for East Grinstead before going back to Dutch Club HGC who did so much to cement his international reputation.
Barry, who started his England career in 2003 against Belgium, has so far played 270 internationals (England 165 & Great Britain 105) scoring 79 goals. He has no intention at present of retiring from the international scene before Rio where he hopes to add to his Athens, Beijing and London Olympic appearances. Speaking to England Hockey TV ahead of the Champions Trophy in Melbourne Barry said: "I'm looking to go to Rio. I want to play for four more years. Hockey's my life; it's what I've always done. I feel fit enough to carry on. As soon as I stop enjoying hockey or I feel I'm not helping the team then that's when I'll stop."
The winners received the traditional Rose Bowls and cheques at today's presentational Lunch at the Royal Thames Yacht Club, in Knightsbridge, London from World Hockey President Leandro Negre, who flew in from Barcelona for the occasion,
Ashley Jackson(East Grinstead) and Alex Danson (Reading) were runners up with Glenn Kirkham (East Grinstead) and Crista Cullen (Leicester) in third place.
Plaques and cheques were also presented to Emily Defroand (Birmingham University) and Luke Taylor (East Grinstead) as winners of the Higgins Group UK Youth Hockey Awards. Charlotte Daly (Reading) and Conor Caplan (Old Loughtonians) won the Higgins Junior awards.
PICTURES FROM THE AWARDS LUNCH ARE ON OUR SISTER WEB SITE AT www.HockeyImages.co.uk.
